In an electric and nerve-wracking tournament decider, Pakistan clinched the ODI tri-series trophy by sealing a dramatic 3-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka. Setting a daunting target, Sri Lanka had piled up 325 runs on the back of Kamindu Mendis' maiden one-day international century. Despite enduring early blows during the pursuit, Pakistan mounted a remarkable recovery through Fakhar Zaman's imperious hundred and an explosive finishing act by Arafat Minhas, crossing the line with 1.3 overs to spare.
Steady Opening Stand and Kamindu Mendis Survives Review
Electing to bat after winning the coin toss, Sri Lanka enjoyed a composed start as openers Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis carefully assessed the new ball conditions. Fernando accelerated in the sixth over by punishing Naseem Shah for two boundaries and a maximum. By the tenth over, Kamindu launched Shaheen Afridi over the ropes for a towering six, pushing Sri Lanka past the fifty-run mark. Kamindu was earlier given out caught behind off Arafat Minhas, but a prompt review overturned the on-field decision and gave him a vital reprieve.
Salman Agha Triggers Early Breakthroughs
Pakistan tightened their bowling discipline in the middle phase, highlighted by Haris Rauf delivering a maiden seventeenth over. Salman Agha provided the opening breakthrough in the very next over, trapping Fernando leg before wicket on 38. Kusal Mendis walked in and dispatched Rauf for a six, but Salman struck again by executing a sharp return catch off his own bowling. That double strike reduced Sri Lanka to 109 for 2 in the 22nd over.
Mammoth 146-Run Stand Between Kamindu and Ratnayake
Sri Lanka regained complete control courtesy of a magnificent third-wicket alliance between Kamindu Mendis and Pawan Ratnayake. The pair accumulated 146 runs together, keeping the scoreboard moving at a brisk pace. Kamindu went on to register his debut ODI hundred, while Ratnayake recorded his fourth fifty-plus score of the ongoing series. By the 41st over, their marathon partnership had propelled the total beyond the 250-run milestone.
Middle-Order Collapse Caps Total at 325
Shaheen Afridi broke the dangerous stand by trapping Kamindu Mendis leg before wicket for a commanding 131. Dasun Shanaka produced a breezy cameo of 17 runs off 9 deliveries with two sixes and a four before Afridi dismissed him as well. The Sri Lankan middle order crumbled quickly as Rauf removed Ratnayake for 77 and Naseem Shah accounted for Janith Liyanage, sparking a slide where five wickets fell for just 29 runs. Late contributions from Sahan Arachchige and Maheesh Theekshana ensured Sri Lanka reached 325 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs.
Early Damage in Chase and Vital Rebuilding Effort
Tasked with chasing down 326, Pakistan encountered disastrous early setbacks. Dilshan Madushanka struck twice in his opening two overs, dismissing both Maaz Sadaqat and star batter Babar Azam cheaply. With the scorecard reading precarious early on, seasoned campaigner Fakhar Zaman united with Saad Baig to steady the innings. The duo guided the total to 50 for 2 by the tenth over, with Baig finding the fence regularly and Zaman launching powerful hits.
Fakhar Zaman Notches 12th Century Amid Rising Equation
Their crucial partnership produced 149 runs as Saad Baig reached his maiden ODI half-century before falling to Maheesh Theekshana on 74 off 75 balls, having struck 11 boundaries. Fakhar Zaman continued his dominance, compiling his 12th ODI century in commanding fashion. Zaman plundered 127 runs from 99 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and 6 sixes, before Madushanka rattled his stumps. When Dunith Wellalage dismissed Salman Agha soon after, Pakistan faced a steep equation of needing 96 off 13 overs, and subsequently 82 from the final 10 overs amid a ten-over boundary drought.
Arafat Minhas Fires Quickfire Fifty to Secure Silverware
Arafat Minhas broke the boundary drought in the 43rd over by driving Shanaka to the fence. Batting alongside Hassan Nawaz, Minhas brought the target down to 46 required off the last 5 overs. Minhas then tore into the attack, launching massive sixes off Madushanka and Shanaka to bring up a breathtaking half-century in just 28 balls. A flurry of boundaries off Fernando sealed the momentum, and despite Minhas and Faheem Ashraf falling in that same over, Shaheen Afridi finished the contest with a resounding six off Madushanka to seal victory with nine balls remaining.
