Opener Fakhar Zaman overcame a bruised knee and a lean run of form to hit a magnificent century, guiding Pakistan to a tense three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final of the one-day international cricket tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday. Zaman played through significant pain after injuring his right knee while fielding earlier in the fixture, anchoring the chase with a brilliant 127.
Chasing a challenging target, Pakistan reached 331-7 in 48.3 overs thanks to Zaman’s 12th ODI hundred and a crucial 61 off 31 balls from man-of-the-series Arafat Minhas. Sri Lanka had earlier posted 325-8 after batting first, powered by Kamindu Mendis’ maiden ODI century of 131 runs. Bowlers from both sides struggled with a wet ball due to heavy dew during the evening session.
- Fakhar Zaman scored 127 runs from 99 deliveries, featuring 11 fours and six sixes.
- Kamindu Mendis hit 131 to propel Sri Lanka to 325-8 while batting first.
- Arafat Minhas contributed a vital 61 off 31 balls and shared a decisive late partnership with Hasan Nawaz.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi finished the game by hitting a winning six over midwicket off Dilshan Madushanka.
Match Turning Points and Chase Drama
Pakistan experienced a shaky start in front of 31,265 passionate home fans at Gaddafi Stadium, losing early wickets including Maaz Sadaqat for 5 and Babar Azam for a duck. However, Zaman staged a remarkable recovery alongside 19-year-old Saad Baig, who chipped in with a patient 74 off 75 balls. The pair compiled a vital 149-run partnership that kept the run rate on track despite scrappy fielding from Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana missed multiple opportunities to dismiss Zaman, dropping him twice and failing to hold onto a return catch. Dilshan Madushanka eventually bowled Zaman in the 34th over, finishing with figures of 3-63 and sparking a brief late collapse. Nevertheless, Minhas and Hasan Nawaz maintained their composure during a crucial 94-run stand, ensuring Pakistan crossed the finish line safely.
Captain’s Verdict and Series Overview
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi praised his team’s resilience after the victory, highlighting the impressive contributions from the younger players under pressure. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis acknowledged that his side fell 25 to 30 runs short of a safer total and noted that defensive mistakes in the field ultimately proved costly during the tournament decider.
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