Fakhar Zaman's Century Leads Pakistan to Tri-Series Victory Over Sri Lanka

Pakistan Clinches ODI Tri-Series Title

On October 31, in Lahore, Fakhar Zaman's remarkable century propelled Pakistan to a thrilling three-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series final held at Gaddafi Stadium. The hosts successfully chased down a target of 326 runs, finishing at 331 for seven in just 48.3 overs, with nine balls remaining.

This chase marks the joint-highest run chase in an ODI final, matching India's record against England in the 2002 NatWest final at Lord's.

Zaman was the standout performer, scoring 127 runs off 99 balls, which included 11 fours and six sixes. With this achievement, he became only the second Pakistani player to hit two centuries in ODI finals.

Pakistan faced an early challenge when Maaz Sadaqat was dismissed for five runs, followed by Babar Azam's duck, leaving the team struggling at 14 for two.

However, Zaman partnered with wicketkeeper Saad Baig to stabilize the innings, adding 149 runs for the third wicket. Baig contributed 74 runs from 75 balls, hitting 11 boundaries before being dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana at 163.

Zaman continued to lead the chase, reaching his century before being dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka for 127, with the score at 220 for four. Salman Agha's dismissal for 17 briefly gave Sri Lanka the upper hand, reducing Pakistan to 230 for five.

Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas then stepped up, forming a vital 94-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Minhas played aggressively, scoring 61 runs off just 31 balls, while Nawaz remained not out on 37 off 45 deliveries.

Minhas was out at 324, and Faheem Ashraf was dismissed for a duck, leaving Pakistan needing just two runs with three wickets in hand. Captain Shaheen Afridi finished the match with a six, securing the title for Pakistan.

Earlier in the match, after opting to field, Pakistan saw Sri Lanka post a total of 325 for eight in their 50 overs, highlighted by Kamindu Mendis's maiden ODI century.

Mendis scored 131 runs off 128 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes. He formed an 87-run opening partnership with Avishka Fernando, who scored 38, and later added 146 runs for the third wicket with Pavan Rathnayake, who contributed 77 runs off 65 balls.

Despite Sri Lanka's strong position, Pakistan's bowlers made a comeback, taking six wickets in the last 10 overs to limit the opposition to 325 runs.

Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf each took two wickets for Pakistan.

With Zaman's century and key contributions from Baig, Nawaz, and Minhas, Pakistan overcame their early setbacks to claim the tri-series title.