Zaman's century foils Sri Lanka as Pakistan win tri-series

In a thrilling final match in Lahore, Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman delivered a remarkable century to secure the tri-series title for his team against Sri Lanka. Overcoming a recent slump with only 31 runs in four matches, Zaman smashed an impressive 99-ball 127, chasing down a target of 326 with nine balls to spare. Sri Lankan paceman Dilshan Madushanka ended Zaman's innings with a crucial wicket in the 34th over.

However, Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz put on 94 runs for the sixth wicket, sealing the win for Pakistan. Minhas contributed with four sixes and three fours in his 31-ball innings. Pakistan's captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, capped off the victory by hitting the winning six. This marked Pakistan's first home tri-series title after failing in the finals of the 1994, 2004, and 2025 tri-series.

Zaman's stellar performance, including 11 fours and half a dozen sixes, lifted Pakistan from a poor start after the early fall of Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam. Shaheen praised Zaman's brilliant knock, stating that the team pulled off a great comeback in bowling before Zaman's outstanding batting. Sri Lanka's skipper Kusal Mendis blamed sloppy fielding for their loss, as Zaman's drop catch on 69 could have altered the game's outcome.

In the previous match, Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis scored a century, while Pakistan's spinner Salman Agha took crucial wickets, aiding Zaman's innings.