The Pakistan ODI tri-series final 2026 went quiet at 14 for 2. Lahore held its breath. One batter was still standing. He had managed 31 runs in four matches. Nobody in the packed stands expected him to rescue anything. What followed will be remembered for a long time.
Pakistan ODI Tri-Series Final 2026: The Result
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by three wickets at Gaddafi Stadium on October 31. Sri Lanka posted 325 for 8. Pakistan chased it down with 331 for 7 in 48.3 overs. They finished with nine balls to spare. It was the joint highest successful chase in an ODI final.
Pakistan Chose to Chase
Pakistan won the toss and chose to field. Shadab Khan was out of the side. Sri Lanka made a strong start.
Sri Lanka’s Innings: 325 for 8
Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis put on 87 for the first wicket. Salman Agha broke it in the 18th over. He trapped Fernando lbw for 38. Kusal Mendis fell soon after for 8, caught and bowled by Agha.
Kamindu Mendis anchored the innings. He hit 131 off 128 balls. Pavan Rathnayake added 77 off 65. Sri Lanka were 238 for 2 after 40 overs. A big total looked certain.
Then Pakistan hit back. Shaheen Afridi trapped Kamindu lbw. Haris Rauf removed Rathnayake. Sri Lanka added only 87 runs for six wickets after the 40th over. Four Pakistan bowlers took two wickets each.
Madushanka Shakes Pakistan Early
Dilshan Madushanka struck twice in the first four overs. Maaz Sadaqat fell for 5. Babar Azam followed for a duck. Pakistan were 14 for 2. They needed 312 more.
Fakhar and Saad Baig Rebuild
Fakhar Zaman stayed put. He found a young partner in Saad Baig. The 19 year old wicketkeeper played with calm and class. Baig reached his fifty off 52 balls. They added 149 for the third wicket.
Baig made 74 off 75 balls with 11 fours. Maheesh Theekshana caught him off his own bowling in the 27th over.
Fakhar went on to his 12th ODI century. He reached it off 84 balls. His 127 came off 99 balls. It included 11 fours and six sixes. He fell at 220 for 4. Pakistan still needed 106.
Fakhar’s innings adds to a proud batting tradition. See our 10 best Pakistani batters in cricket history.
Minhas Turns the Chase
Salman Agha added 57 with Fakhar for the fourth wicket. He fell at 230 for 5. Pakistan needed 96 from 78 balls. The game was alive again.
Arafat Minhas walked in and changed everything. He hit 61 off 31 balls. That included three fours and four sixes. He and Hasan Nawaz added 94 for the sixth wicket. Hasan stayed unbeaten on 37.
A Late Scare, Then a Six
Then came a late scare. Arafat top edged a pull at 324 for 6. Faheem Ashraf fell next ball. Pakistan still needed two runs.
Shaheen Afridi walked in and finished it. He slapped Madushanka over midwicket for six. Lahore erupted.
What the Win Means for Pakistan
Pakistan had lost the last three tri-series on home soil. They finished second each time, to Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. This time they lifted the trophy.
The win also answers a painful night. Sri Lanka bowled Pakistan out for 110 on October 27. Four days later, Pakistan chased 326 against the same attack.
The bigger picture is the 2027 World Cup. Pakistan sit in Group A with India, Afghanistan, Australia and Zimbabwe, plus a qualifier. Our ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 guide has the full picture.
Conclusion
Pakistan chased 326 to beat Sri Lanka by three wickets. Fakhar Zaman scored 127. Saad Baig made 74. Arafat Minhas hit 61 off 31. Shaheen Afridi finished it with a six. The Pakistan ODI tri-series final 2026 will be remembered as one of the great chases in Lahore.
