Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets to win ODI tri-series

Pakistan secured the ODI tri-series title by defeating Sri Lanka by three wickets in a dramatic final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday. The hosts posted a challenging target of 326 runs, and Fakhar Zaman led the charge with a brilliant century, while Arafat Minhas smashed a late assault to help Pakistan reach the total with nine balls to spare.

Sri Lanka got off to a strong start, with Kamindu Mendis registering a maiden ODI century and the in-form Pavan Rathnayake contributing 77 runs. The tourists reached 325-8 before Pakistan won the toss and opted to field on a slow-paced Gaddafi Stadium pitch. Pakistan's captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, dismissed Kamindu and Dasun Shanaka (17) in quick succession, putting Sri Lanka under pressure.

Kamindu anchored the innings, scoring 131 runs off 128 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes. He was supported by Pavan Rathnayake, who contributed 77 runs. However, Pakistan’s bowlers staged a remarkable comeback in the final overs, taking three wickets for just 38 runs to prevent Sri Lanka from posting a larger total. Shaheen Shah Afridi finished with 2-50, while Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah also took two wickets each.