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

Pakistan won the tri-nation ODI series by beating Sri Lanka by three wickets in a tense final, Daily Pakistan reported. Another column in the paper said the team won the series in front of an enthusiastic Lahore crowd after 18 years, according to those who keep the numbers.

All-rounder Arafat Minhas was named Player of the Series. Express News reported that he scored 149 runs and took 9 wickets in five matches of the tournament. In the final he made 61 off 31 balls, and he and Hassan Nawaz put on 94 runs for the sixth wicket.

Speaking on the programme Street Drive with Salman Butt, Minhas credited his form to positive thinking and constant hard work. He said playing in front of large crowds gives extra motivation. He also said: "کامیابی ہو یا ناکامی محنت اور ٹریننگ کا معمول یکساں رکھتا ہوں" (I keep the same routine of hard work and training whether there is success or failure).

Daily Pakistan also said Fakhar Zaman completed 4,000 ODI runs. Express News reported that Pakistan has remained unbeaten in its last 10 home series.

Pakistan now face a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, with both matches part of the World Test Championship 2025-2027. The first Test starts on 9 November at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and the second on 17 November at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Sri Lanka will play a three-day practice match in Islamabad from 4 to 6 November.

The Pakistan Cricket Board selection committee named a 14-member squad with Babar Azam as captain. It includes Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Abbas, Abdullah Fazal, Azan Awais, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Raza Ullah, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Baig, Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman and Sameer Minhas.

Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman receive their first Test call-ups. Taha scored 730 runs in seven Sadar Trophy matches, including three centuries and a best of 225. Suleman made 652 runs in seven matches with three centuries, and Sameer scored 405 runs in his first first-class season.

Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali were left out. The committee will decide on adding two more fast bowlers after the practice match, based on how Pakistan Patriots XI players perform.