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Zaman hundred powers Pakistan to tri-series title over Sri Lanka
On Saturday at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by three wickets to win the one-day international cricket tri-series final. Opener Fakhar Zaman scored 127 runs, overcoming a bruised knee to secure the title.
Batting first, Sri Lanka posted a formidable 325-8, driven by Kamindu Mendis' maiden ODI century of 131 off 128 balls. Pavan Rathnayake added a fluent 77, setting a target of 326 for Pakistan.
Pakistan suffered early setbacks, losing Babar Azam for a duck, but Zaman and Saad Baig rebuilt the innings with an impressive 149-run partnership. Baig contributed 74 off 75 balls before his dismissal.
With 106 runs needed after Zaman fell, Arafat Minhas scored a robust 61 off 31 balls to carry the chase. Pakistan reached 331-7 in 48.3 overs, completing the joint-highest successful ODI final chase.
This victory marks Pakistan's first ODI tri-series title since 2008, when they defeated India in the Kitply Cup final in Bangladesh. The win also redeems their 2025 home tri-series final loss to New Zealand.