Fakhar Zaman ton, Minhas and Baig's fifties powers Pakistan to tri-series title

Pakistan won the tri-series with a three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final in Lahore, surpassing Kamindu Mendis' century. Pavan Rathnayake's 77 and Mendis' 131 helped Sri Lanka score 325 for 8. Zaman's 127 and important contributions from Saad Baig (74) and Arafat Minhas (31-ball 61) powered Pakistan's chase, which the hosts surpassed with 1.3 overs remaining.

After being asked to bat, Sri Lanka made a steady start, with Kamindu Mendis and Avishka Fernando negotiating the new ball before gradually shifting gears. Fernando struck two fours and a six off Naseem Shah in the sixth over to inject some momentum while Kamindu hit a maximum off Shaheen Afridi in the 10th over, taking Sri Lanka to 51 for 0. Despite being caught behind Arafat Minhas, Kamindu overturned the decision after a review with success. In the meantime, Pakistan bowled a few tight overs, including a maiden from Haris Rauf to Fernando in the 17th. Salman Agha took advantage in the next over and trapped Fernando lbw for 38.

While Kusal Mendis launched Rauf for a six, Kamindu broke a boundary drought and reached fifty. But Agha produced a moment of brilliance to dismiss Kusal, taking a sharp return catch to leave Sri Lanka at 109/2 in the 22nd over. Sri Lanka made good progress despite Pakistan's opportunity to halt the innings. Kamindu and Pavan Rathnayake, on the other hand, ensured this. Rathnayake scored his fourth 50-plus score in the series, taking Sri Lanka past 250 in the 41st over, as the pair put on a century stand, the scoring rate increased, and milestones followed. Kamindu scored his first century in an ODI. Rathnayake scored his fourth 50-plus score in the series.

The third-wicket pair added 146 before the partnership ended when Kamindu was trapped lbw by Afridi. Dasun Shanaka smashed a six and two fours in a quickfire 17 off nine balls before Afridi dismissed him, while Rauf accounted for Rathnayake and Naseem sent Janith Liyanage back, as Sri Lanka lost five wickets for just 29 runs. However, Sahan Arachchige and Maheesh Theekshana added some useful runs towards the end to help Sri Lanka set a challenging target for Pakistan.

Dilshan Madushanka took Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam's wickets in his first two overs, setting up Pakistan's chase for a loss. Fakhar Zaman and Saad Baig ensured that the innings did not stagnate in their bid to consolidate. Pakistan were 50 for 2 after ten overs when Zaman hit maximums and Baig hit regular boundaries. The pair continued to score at a consistent rate, with Baig scoring his first fifty in an ODI and Zaman also scoring fifty, with a century partnership in between.

After Pakistan reached 150 in the 26th over, the 149-run third wicket stand came to an end when Theekshana was caught by Baig, who went on to score 74 off 75 with 11 fours. Zaman, meanwhile, continued unperturbed as he brought up his 12th ODI hundred and cleared the fence regularly. Madushanka bowled him in the end; in his 99 balls, he hit six sixes and 11 fours. Salman Agha followed a short while later, bowled by Dunith Wellalage, leaving Pakistan needing 96 off the last 13 overs, which became 82 off the last 10 overs.

Before Arafat Minhas struck a boundary off Asitha Fernando in the 45th over and a four off Shanaka in the 43rd over, Pakistan went through a dry spell of 10 overs without a boundary. Although Hasan Nawaz's scoring was sluggish, he helped Minhas form a partnership and helped them reach 46 off the final five overs. Pakistan made it 18 off 18 with a couple of strong overs, including sixes from Minhas off Shanaka and Madushanka. Minhas scored a 28-ball fifty against Fernando with a six, followed by another maximum and a four before being eventually run out. Faheem Ashraf was run out in the same over, but Pakistan won with a six off Madushanka by Afridi in the final over.