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

Pakistan won the ODI tri-series final against Sri Lanka by three wickets at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, 31 October, chasing a target of 326 with nine balls remaining, according to Minute Mirror and Daily Pakistan.

Minute Mirror reported that the hosts finished on 327-7 in 48.3 overs. It said this was Pakistan's first ODI tri-series trophy since the Kitply Cup in Dhaka, and that the win was a response to a 110-run defeat by Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first on a slow-paced pitch, according to Business Recorder. Sri Lanka's openers Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis added 87 runs, and Fernando was dismissed by Salman Ali Agha for 38, Minute Mirror said. The same bowler later removed Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis for eight.

Kamindu Mendis then built the innings with Pavan Rathnayake. Business Recorder reported that Kamindu made a maiden ODI century, scoring 131 off 128 balls, while Rathnayake made 77. The pair added 146 runs for the third wicket before Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Kamindu and Dasun Shanaka, who scored 17, within two overs. Sri Lanka finished on 325-8.

In reply, opener Fakhar Zaman scored a century, which Daily Pakistan Urdu said came off 84 balls. Daily Pakistan reported that he crossed 4,000 runs in ODI cricket and was named Man of the Day for his innings. The outlet said he delivered when the team needed it most.

Another report headline named Minhas among the stars of the win, though the available reports gave no further detail on his contribution. The result gave Pakistan the title in a high-scoring contest in front of the home crowd in Lahore.

Before the match began, players of both teams stood for the national anthems at the stadium, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.