# Fakhar Zaman Century and Arafat Minhas Blitz Power Pakistan to 3-Wicket Win in ODI Tri-Series Final

> Chasing Sri Lanka's formidable total of 325, Pakistan rode on Fakhar Zaman's 127 and a 28-ball fifty from Arafat Minhas to pull off a thrilling 3-wicket victory.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-10-31 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/fakhar-zaman-ke-akramaka-shataka-aura-arafat-minhas-ke-tuphani-ardhashataka-se-pakistan-ne-3-viketa-se-jita-tri-series-ka-final-54088 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Pakistan Cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket, Fakhar Zaman, Kamindu Mendis, Arafat Minhas, ODI Tri Series, Shaheen Afridi

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.

## What this means for you
This thrilling high-scoring final highlights the evolving batting depth and finishing prowess in modern one-day international cricket.

- **For Cricket Fans:** Chasing down 326 runs reaffirms that formidable totals offer little safety in contemporary white-ball cricket. Viewers can expect more aggressive chases and tactical experimentation in upcoming international series.
- **For Pakistan Team Dynamics:** Recovering from early top-order dismissals proves Pakistan can win without heavy reliance on Babar Azam alone. The management now possesses verified proof that emerging youngsters can absorb immense pressure in finals.
- **For Sri Lanka Bowling Strategy:** Conceding 82 runs in the closing ten overs despite having Pakistan under pressure will force Sri Lanka to rethink their death-bowling tactics. Captaincy decisions and bowling changes in high-stakes matches will face greater scrutiny.
- **For Future Player Selections:** Arafat Minhas delivering a match-defining 28-ball fifty will accelerate his progression as a permanent lower-order finisher. Teams competing against Pakistan will have to construct specific plans for their deep batting resources.

## Why this happened
The encounter turned into a high-scoring nail-biter as both sides produced remarkable centurions, with the contest ultimately decided in the death overs.

- **Sri Lanka Foundation and Late Collapse:** A massive 146-run stand between Kamindu Mendis (131) and Pawan Ratnayake (77) set Sri Lanka on course for an imposing score. However, Shaheen Afridi broke the partnership, triggering a collapse of five wickets for 29 runs that restricted them to 325.
- **Fakhar Zaman Anchoring the Pursuit:** After Dilshan Madushanka removed Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam cheaply, Fakhar Zaman combined with Saad Baig for a 149-run revival. Fakhar's blistering 127 off 99 balls kept the required run rate well within reachable limits.
- **Arafat Minhas Late Firepower:** Needing 82 runs from the final ten overs with a prolonged boundary drought, Arafat Minhas dismantled the Sri Lankan attack. His 28-ball half-century decisively turned the contest before Shaheen Afridi sealed the win with a six.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Who won the ODI tri-series final?
Pakistan won the ODI tri-series title by defeating Sri Lanka by 3 wickets.

### 2. What total did Sri Lanka set in the first innings?
Sri Lanka posted a challenging total of 325 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs.

### 3. Who was the highest scorer for Sri Lanka?
Kamindu Mendis top-scored with 131 runs, registering his maiden century in ODI cricket.

### 4. How many runs did Fakhar Zaman score for Pakistan?
Fakhar Zaman scored 127 runs off 99 balls, hitting 11 fours and 6 sixes.

### 5. How many deliveries did Arafat Minhas take to score his half-century?
Arafat Minhas completed his blistering half-century in just 28 deliveries.

### 6. How was the winning shot scored and with how many balls to spare?
Shaheen Afridi struck a six off Dilshan Madushanka to finish the chase with 1.3 overs remaining.

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