Pakistan clinched the tri-series title after defeating Sri Lanka by three wickets in a high-scoring final. Chasing a challenging target of 326, the hosts produced an impressive batting performance, recovering from an early collapse to reach 331/7 with nine balls to spare.
Fakhar Zaman led the charge with a brilliant 127 off 99 deliveries, while Saad Baig and Arafat Minhas made crucial contributions to the successful chase. The final also witnessed an impressive century from Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, but Pakistan’s lower-order acceleration ultimately proved decisive.
Fakhar Zaman and Saad Baig lead Pakistan’s recovery
Pakistan suffered an early setback after Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam in the opening overs, leaving the hosts struggling at 14/2. However, Fakhar and Saad steadied the innings with a crucial 149-run partnership for the third wicket.
Fakhar brought up his 12th ODI century and finished with 127 off 99 balls, striking 16 boundaries and four sixes. Saad also played an important role, scoring 74 off 75 deliveries to keep Pakistan in the chase. Although Madushanka eventually dismissed both batters, their partnership had put the hosts in a strong position.
Arafat Minhas powers Pakistan to victory in thrilling chase
Pakistan still needed 106 runs after Fakhar’s dismissal, but Minhas changed the momentum with a spectacular late innings. The left-handed batter smashed an unbeaten 61 off just 31 deliveries, including four sixes and four boundaries. Minhas also shared a valuable 94-run sixth-wicket partnership with Hasan Nawaz, putting Pakistan firmly in control. Captain Shaheen Afridi eventually finished the job in style, hitting Madushanka for a six to seal the three-wicket victory.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had posted 325/8 in their 50 overs, with Kamindu scoring a maiden ODI century of 131. Pavan Rathnayake added 77 off 65 deliveries, and the pair shared a 146-run partnership for the third wicket. However, Pakistan’s bowlers fought back towards the end, with Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah picking up two wickets each.
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Here’s how fans reacted:
Pakistan win the tri series final by 3 wickets 🏏#PAKvSL #FakharZaman pic.twitter.com/XguQJSHb7w
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 1, 2026
Pakistan win the ODI Tri-Series final, chasing down Sri Lanka’s 325/8 to finish on 331/7 and win by 3 wickets in Lahore.
🔥 Fakhar Zaman – 127
Congratulations Pakistan 🇵🇰🙏 pic.twitter.com/wtEfIx18tY
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet) October 31, 2026
Fakhar Zaman Outstanding 127 against Sri Lanka Tri Series Final
congratulations Pakistan @FakharZamanLive @TheRealPCBMedia #FakharZaman #PakVsSL #Final pic.twitter.com/03cdbZo9Qb— Imran Yousafzai (@ImranY99960) October 31, 2026
HIT ME I WILL HIT YOU ” I’M FAKHAR ZAMAN THE MATCH WINNER”. ❤️#PAKvSL #PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/LxnlaSrD7B
— Nadir Emaan (@NadirEmaanz) November 1, 2026
The real GOAT 🐐
FAKHAR ZAMAN #PAKvsSL #BabarAzam Arafat Hassan Saad Shaheen shadab #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/Nk6VLOfkBk
— Ali Arslan (القدس في العیون) (@Aliarslan_17) October 31, 2026
A One Man Army Inning From Foji Fakhar Zaman pic.twitter.com/eCMHKaumrK
— Mir Hamza Mughal (@1MirHamzaMughal) October 31, 2026
Fakhar Zaman is the only Pakistani player in cricket history to score 4 centuries in just 17 innings while chasing targets of 300+ runs.
No other Pakistani player has achieved this feat 🔥pic.twitter.com/41G6ghyqK6
— manzur shaban (@Manzurshaban123) October 31, 2026
Pure class and power Fakhar Zaman proving once again why he’s a match-winner. 🇵🇰
— FAROOQ 🦋 (@Rao_880) November 1, 2026
👊🇵🇰 Fakhar Zaman — a true big-match player who rises to the occasion! 🔥🏏#FakharZaman #PakistanCricket #Cricket #WorldCricketInfo pic.twitter.com/V0A5RnJeTn
— World Cricket Info (@WorldCrickinfo2) October 31, 2026
Fakhar Zaman does not need the Pakistan Cricket Team; the Pakistan Cricket Team needs Fakhar Zaman.❣️🇵🇰
Furqan Bhatti pic.twitter.com/k3zEuim8Yf
— Sheraxii Tweets (@i_mAfridi) October 31, 2026
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