Fakhar Zaman’s Lahore Blitz Fires Pakistan to Tri-Series Glory

Under the Lahore lights, a packed Gaddafi Stadium got the final it wanted. Pakistan chased down 326 to beat Sri Lanka by three wickets and lift the Tri-Series trophy, with Fakhar Zaman’s thunderous 127 leading the way and Shaheen Afridi sealing it with a six.

A Final Worthy of the Occasion

This tri-series carried more weight than a routine three-match white-ball slog, and the final delivered the drama to match. It went deep into the penultimate over before Pakistan got over the line.

Sri Lanka had set a target for the first time in the series and came close to defending it. In the end, Pakistan’s blend of experience and fearless youth proved decisive.

Kamindu Mendis Sets the Stage

A Maiden ODI Hundred

Kamindu Mendis was the star of the first innings, hammering 131. It was a long-awaited breakthrough in white-ball cricket, a format in which he had been waiting for a defining knock.

Sri Lanka looked set for a monster total, sitting on 255 for 2 after 41 overs. Dasun Shanaka was waiting to unleash in the closing overs.

Shaheen Drags Pakistan Back

Shaheen Afridi changed the mood late on. Pakistan fought back hard at the death, and Sri Lanka finished on 325 for 8, well short of the stratospheric score once on offer.

Pakistan Wobble Early, Fakhar Takes Charge

The chase began badly. Pakistan slipped to 14 for 2, and Babar Azam’s struggles continued as he fell without scoring.

Fakhar Zaman and Saad Baig then steadied the innings with fearless strokeplay. Both left-handers attacked at a similar rate, and Baig reached his first international half-century before falling for 74.

Fakhar’s Big-Match Pedigree

Fakhar, the hero of the 2017 Champions Trophy final, reminded everyone why he thrives on the big stage. He struck 127 off 99 balls with 11 fours and six sixes. He also rode some luck, as he was dropped twice on his way to the hundred.

The left-arm quartet of Dilshan Madushanka and Dunith Wellalage kept Sri Lanka alive. Madushanka bowled Fakhar and Wellalage dismissed Salman Agha, and boundaries dried up for more than 10 overs.

Minhas Turns the Game, Shaheen Finishes It

With 46 needed from 30 balls, Arafat Minhas broke the drought with a thump through the covers off Shanaka. A 15-run over off Shanaka then swung the game decisively Pakistan’s way.

Minhas blasted 61 off just 31 balls, striking four sixes and delighting the crowd. Faheem Ashraf and Minhas both fell with two runs still needed, but Shaheen calmly launched a six to finish the job.

Match Snapshot

What It Means

For Pakistan, the win is a statement. They had been bowled out for 110 by Sri Lanka only days earlier, yet they responded with a composed chase on the biggest night of the series.

The emergence of Baig and Minhas alongside veterans like Fakhar and Shaheen gives the side a promising balance. For Sri Lanka, Kamindu’s century is a bright spot, even in defeat.

In a final decided in the penultimate over, small moments made the difference. Pakistan held their nerve when it mattered most, and Lahore celebrated accordingly.