Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets (with 9 balls remaining) – ODI Report
Pakistan won by 3 wickets (with 9 balls remaining) in the 24th and final match of the Tri-Nation Series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Fakhar Zaman struck 127 off 99 balls to steer the hosts to a tense victory, chasing down Sri Lanka’s 325 in a match that swung decisively in Pakistan’s favour during the middle overs. The win secures Pakistan top spot in the group stage with 3 wins from 4 matches.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Blitz
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl, but Sri Lanka made them pay with a commanding batting display. Avishka Fernando opened with 38 off 49 (3 fours, 1 six) before falling LBW at 87/1 in the 17th over. The real damage came from Kamindu Mendis, who produced a masterclass with 131 off 128 balls (12 fours, 2 sixes) at a strike rate of 102. Mendis anchored the innings through the middle overs, building crucial partnerships and keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
Pavan Rathnayake provided explosive support with 77 off 65 (8 fours) at a strike rate of 118, adding 128 runs with Mendis for the third wicket. Dasun Shanaka then struck 17 off just 9 balls (2 fours, 1 six) at a strike rate of 189 to accelerate the innings in the death overs. Sri Lanka’s lower order chipped in with useful contributions – Sahan Arachchige made 15 off 12 and Maheesh Theekshana struck 9 off 8 – to push the total to 325/8.
Shaheen Afridi was Pakistan’s standout bowler with 2/50 from 10 overs at an economy of 5, while Naseem Shah took 2/80 from 10. Salman Agha claimed 2/44 from 7 overs and Haris Rauf finished with 2/60 from 10, but Sri Lanka’s batting depth proved too much to contain.
Pakistan’s Chase – Zaman Takes Centre Stage
Chasing 326, Pakistan’s reply began shakily. Maaz Sadaqat fell for 5 at 8/1 in the second over, and Babar Azam was caught for a duck at 14/2 in the third. But Fakhar Zaman took charge from the outset, striking with authority and building a 206-run stand with Saad Baig (74 off 75, 11 fours) to steady the ship. Zaman’s 127 off 99 (11 fours, 6 sixes) at a strike rate of 128 was the cornerstone of the chase, combining aggression with intelligent placement.
When Zaman fell clean bowled by Dilshan Madushanka at 220/4 in the 34th over, Pakistan still needed 106 from 96 balls. Arafat Minhas then took centre stage with a blistering 61 off 31 balls (3 fours, 4 sixes) at a strike rate of 197, smashing 41 runs off 21 balls to bring Pakistan within touching distance. Hasan Nawaz (37 off 45, 2 fours) provided the final push with an unbeaten knock, and Shaheen Afridi finished the job with 6 off 3 (1 six), sealing victory with 9 balls to spare.
Dilshan Madushanka was Sri Lanka’s standout bowler with 3/63 from 9.3 overs at an economy of 6.63, while Asitha Fernando took 2/72 from 9. Maheesh Theekshana claimed 1/57 from 10 overs and Dunith Wellalage finished with 1/58 from 10, but Pakistan’s middle-order firepower proved decisive.
Statz MVP: Dilshan Madushanka (Statz Rating: 104.81)
Dilshan Madushanka earns the Statz MVP award with a rating of 104.81. Despite playing for the losing side, Madushanka’s 3/63 from 9.3 overs was Sri Lanka’s most impactful bowling display, consistently troubling Pakistan’s batsmen and taking the crucial wicket of Fakhar Zaman. His economy rate of 6.63 was tight under pressure, and his performance highlighted why he remains a key asset in Sri Lanka’s attack.
Top 5 Statz Ratings
- Dilshan Madushanka (SL) – Statz Rating: 104.81 | 3/63 from 9.3 overs – Standout bowling performance despite the loss, with tight economy and crucial breakthroughs.
- Shaheen Afridi (PAK) – Statz Rating: 102.05 | 2/50 from 10 overs plus 6 off 3 with the bat – Controlled bowling and a finishing flourish in the chase.
- Arafat Minhas (PAK) – Statz Rating: 85.68 | 61 off 31 (SR 197, 3 fours, 4 sixes) – Explosive late-order innings that swung the match decisively.
- Fakhar Zaman (PAK) – Statz Rating: 84.85 | 127 off 99 (SR 128, 11 fours, 6 sixes) – Brilliant century that anchored the chase and set the platform for victory.
- Salman Agha (PAK) – Statz Rating: 78.77 | 2/44 from 7 overs plus 17 off 25 with the bat – Solid all-round contribution in a tight contest.
Turning Point
The match turned decisively when Arafat Minhas came to the crease at 324/6 in the 47th over with Pakistan needing 7 off 18 balls. Minhas’ explosive 61 off 31 balls transformed the equation, taking Pakistan from a precarious position to the brink of victory. His four sixes in 21 balls shifted momentum irreversibly in Pakistan’s favour, leaving Sri Lanka’s bowlers with no answer to his aggression.
Match Context
This was the 24th and final match of the Tri-Nation Series group stage at Gaddafi Stadium. Pakistan finish top of the group with 3 wins from 4 matches, securing a playoff berth. Sri Lanka remain second with 2 wins from 4 matches, also advancing to the knockout stage. The victory caps a dominant campaign for Pakistan, who will carry momentum into the playoff phase. Check the full scorecard and head-to-head record on Statz for complete details, and explore bet builder options for future matches in the series.
