Fakhar's 127 and Minhas' Late Blitz Seal Pakistan's Tri-Series Glory

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-11-01

Fakhar Zaman scored 127 runs and Arafat Minhas smashed 61 off just 31 balls to guide Pakistan to a three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the One-Day International tri-series final. The match took place on October 31, 2026, at a packed Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan reached 327 runs for seven in 48.3 overs, with nine balls remaining, to successfully chase down Sri Lanka's target of 326. It marked Pakistan's first ODI tri-series title since their Kitply Cup victory over India in Dhaka. ### Kamindu's Maiden Century Set a Competitive Total Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and chose to field. Sri Lanka's openers Kamindu Mendis and Avishka Fernando scored 50 runs inside the first ten overs. Avishka scored 38 runs off 49 balls, hitting two fours and a six. However, he lost his wicket to Salman Ali Agha in the 18th over. Four overs later, Salman Agha struck again to remove Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis, leaving Sri Lanka at 109 for two in the 22nd over. Mendis reached his maiden ODI century off 107 balls in the 34th over. He scored 131 runs off 128 deliveries, hitting 12 fours and two sixes. On the other end, Rathnayake scored 77 runs off 65 balls. The pair shared a 146-run partnership for the third wicket off 119 balls, taking Sri Lanka to 238 for two after 40 overs. Shaheen Afridi broke Sri Lanka's third-wicket stand in the 42nd over. Two overs later, Shaheen bowled out Dasun Shanaka for 17 runs off nine balls. Haris Rauf then dismissed Rathnayake, who finished as the highest run-scorer of the tri-series tournament with 427 runs. Naseem Shah dismissed Janith Liyanage, while Rauf and Naseem removed Dunith Wellalage and Sahan Arachchige. Sri Lanka lost six wickets for 70 runs in their final nine overs to finish on 325 for eight. ### Fakhar Zaman Century Secured Pakistan's Victory Pakistan lost early wickets in their chase of 326 runs. Dilshan Madushanka bowled out Maaz Sadaqat for five runs in the second over. In the fourth over, Madushanka removed Babar Azam for a five-ball duck. Fakhar Zaman and Saad Baig recovered with a 149-run partnership for the third wicket. Saad Baig hit 11 boundaries to score 74 runs off 75 balls. Fakhar scored his 20th ODI half-century off 52 balls in the 22nd over. He completed his 12th ODI century off 84 balls in the 30th over. Madushanka finally bowled Fakhar in the 34th over for 127 runs off 99 balls. His innings included 11 fours and six sixes. Pakistan slipped to 230 for five in the 37th over when Salman Agha lost his wicket for 17 runs. Pakistan still needed 96 runs from the final 78 deliveries. ### Minhas Turns the Tide With a Late Blitz Arafat Minhas completed his half-century off 28 balls and finished with 61 runs off 31 balls, including three fours and four sixes. Minhas and Hasan Nawaz added 50 runs off 49 balls for the sixth wicket to bring Pakistan close to victory. Minhas lost his wicket in the 48th over with Pakistan needing two runs to win. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi smashed a six over midwicket off Dilshan Madushanka in the 49th over to secure the win. > "Man for the big occasions" was how the celebration read for Fakhar Zaman, the second batter after Saeed Anwar to score multiple centuries in ODI finals. ### The Big Picture - Pakistan chased 326 with nine balls to spare at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. - Fakhar Zaman's 127 off 99 balls anchored the innings after an early collapse. - Arafat Minhas' 61 off 31 balls shifted the momentum when the chase looked in doubt. - Kamindu Mendis' career-best 131 kept Sri Lanka competitive, while Rathnayake topped the tournament run charts with 427. For fans of the game, this final had everything: a maiden century, a top-order wobble, and a finishing kick that few saw coming. Pakistan's first ODI tri-series crown since the Kitply Cup is a reminder that this side can find ways to win even when the odds tilt against them.