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Fakhar Zaman century powers Pakistan to tri-series triumph over Sri Lanka

Pakistan won the ODI tri-series final in Lahore by three wickets.

By , Editor

· 2 min read

Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar Zaman (file photo) Photo: Pakistan Cricket Board / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Fakhar Zaman scored 127 off 99 balls as Pakistan chased down 326 against Sri Lanka in the tri-series final in Lahore. The win secured Pakistan's first ODI tri-series title since 2008.

Key takeaways

  • Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in the tri-series final in Lahore
  • Fakhar Zaman made 127 off 99 balls, his 12th ODI century
  • Sri Lanka scored 325 for eight, with Kamindu Mendis making 131
  • Pakistan reached 331 with nine balls to spare
  • The title was Pakistan's first ODI tri-series win since 2008

Fakhar Zaman's century powered Pakistan to a three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the One-Day International tri-series final in Lahore on Saturday, Hindustan Times reported. The win ended Pakistan's long wait for the title.

Why it matters

The victory secured Pakistan's first ODI tri-series title since 2008, when they beat India in the Kitply Cup final in Bangladesh, according to Hindustan Times. It also made amends for their defeat to New Zealand in the final of a home tri-series in 2025. Zaman's 127 was his 12th ODI century.

Zaman's 127 off 99 balls anchored the chase after an early wobble

— Hindustan Times

Sri Lanka posted 325 for eight wickets, built around Kamindu Mendis' outstanding 131 off 128 balls and a fluent 77 from Pavan Rathnayake, Hindustan Times reported. The pair shared a crucial partnership. Pakistan struck late to curb any hopes of a 340-plus surge, with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking two wickets for 50 runs.

What happens next

Pakistan's next fixture is not listed in the sources. The Pakistan men's national cricket team represents Pakistan in international cricket and is controlled by the Pakistan Cricket Board, according to Wikipedia.

Pakistan suffered early setbacks as Dilshan Madushanka struck twice in the powerplay, including the prized wicket of Babar Azam for a five-ball duck, Hindustan Times reported. Zaman and Saad Baig rebuilt the innings with an impressive partnership before Maheesh Theekshana ended Baig's knock for 74 off 75 balls.

Zaman accelerated after reaching his half-century and went on to register his 12th ODI century, partnering with Agha in a brisk stand that kept Pakistan firmly on course in the chase, according to Hindustan Times. The left-hander eventually fell to Madushanka, followed soon by Agha for 17, leaving Pakistan at 230-5. However, Minhas' and Hasan Nawaz's partnership ultimately carried the hosts to the target.

Sri Lanka made a strong start after being put in to bat, with opener Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis adding 51 runs in the powerplay, Hindustan Times reported. Fernando's dismissal in the 18th over ended the opening stand, and Pakistan struck again soon after when captain Kusal Mendis fell to Agha, leaving the visitors at 109-2.

Kamindu and Rathnayake steadied the innings with a fluent partnership off 119 deliveries. The stand kept Sri Lanka firmly in control until Kamindu, who brought up his maiden ODI century, fell after hitting 12 fours and two sixes.

Pakistan fought back in the death overs, triggering a collapse as Afridi and Haris Rauf removed Dasun Shanaka and Rathnayake within the space of two overs, according to Hindustan Times. Sahan Arachchige provided a late cameo with a brisk 15 off 12 deliveries before falling to Naseem Shah.

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