Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by three wickets to win tri-nation ODI series

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in the final of the ODI tri-nation series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 31 October, chasing a target of 326 to lift the trophy.

Fakhar Zaman led the chase with 127 runs off 99 balls, an innings that included 11 fours and 6 sixes. It was his 12th ODI century. The Associated Press of Pakistan published a photograph of him being clean bowled by Dilshan Madushanka during the final.

According to Express News, it was Fakhar's second century in the final of an ODI tournament. His earlier one came in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India at The Oval in London.

With that effort he equalled the record of Saeed Anwar, who also scored two centuries in tournament ODI finals. Anwar made his first in the 1993 Wills Trophy final against Sri Lanka and his second in the 1998 Silver Jubilee Independence Cup final against India.

Express News also reported that Arafat played a strong innings in the final. Another report noted that Fakhar had reached 4,000 ODI runs around the time of the series.

Daily Pakistan reported that this was the first time Pakistan had won a tri-nation series on their home ground.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the national team on the series win. They said the players showed excellent cricket, hard work and teamwork, and that the success was a source of joy for the whole nation.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also congratulated the team, according to Express News. He said he hoped the side would keep up its run of victories.