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Pakistan Smash Record With Historic 331-Run Chase To Win Tri-Series Final
Pakistan produced a record-breaking masterclass in Lahore, chasing down 326 against Sri Lanka in the ODI Tri-Series final. Finishing on 331/7 with nine balls to spare, the hosts toppled India’s iconic 2002 NatWest Series final chase and ended an 18-year wait for a tri-series trophy.
Pakistan Rewrite The Record Books In Lahore
On October 31, 2026, Pakistan chased 326 in 48.3 overs to seal a three-wicket victory. The 331/7 now stands as the highest successful chase in an ODI tournament final.
It eclipsed India’s 326/8 against England at Lord’s in the 2002 NatWest Series final. That chase, powered by Mohammad Kaif’s unbeaten 87 and Yuvraj Singh’s 69, had stood as the benchmark for more than two decades.
Fakhar Zaman Sets The Tone
Fakhar Zaman led the charge with a magnificent 127 off 99 deliveries. His fearless hitting kept Pakistan on top of the required rate through the crucial middle overs.
Saad Baig backed him with a composed 74, building the platform for the late fireworks.
Arafat Minhas Turns The Contest
Then came the decisive twist. Arafat Minhas smashed 61 off just 31 balls, flipping the pressure back onto Sri Lanka and turning a tense chase into a charge to the finish line.
| Team | Score | Top Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 325/8 | Kamindu Mendis 131, Pavan Rathnayake 77 |
| Pakistan | 331/7 (48.3 overs) | Fakhar Zaman 127, Saad Baig 74, Arafat Minhas 61 |
Sri Lanka’s Big Total Falls Just Short
Sri Lanka did their part, posting 325/8 on the back of Kamindu Mendis’ superb 131. Pavan Rathnayake chipped in with a punchy 77.
It looked like a match-winning total. Pakistan’s middle-order firepower had other ideas, and the hosts reeled in the target with nine balls remaining.
All The Major Records And Milestones
The win did more than lift a trophy. Pakistan ticked off several big records on a historic night in Lahore.
Highest Successful Chases In ODI Tournament Finals
| Score | Team | Opponent and Venue | Year | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 331/7 | Pakistan | vs Sri Lanka, Lahore | 2026 | 326 |
| 326/8 | India | vs England, Lord’s | 2002 | 326 |
| 316/7 | India | vs Pakistan, Dhaka | 1998 | 315 |
Highest Successful Chases In Lahore
Pakistan’s 331/7 is the third-highest successful ODI chase in Lahore. It moved past Australia’s 316/4 against Pakistan in 1998, but sits behind two bigger efforts.
| Score | Team | Year | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 356/5 | Australia vs England | 2025 | 352 |
| 349/4 | Pakistan vs Australia | 2022 | 349 |
| 331/7 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | 2026 | 326 |
| 316/4 | Australia vs Pakistan | 1998 | 316 |
Pakistan’s Best Chases Against Sri Lanka
This was also Pakistan’s second-highest successful chase against Sri Lanka in ODIs. It came close to their 345/4 in Hyderabad in 2023, but cleared two earlier efforts.
| Score | Venue | Year | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 345/4 | Hyderabad | 2023 | 345 |
| 331/7 | Lahore | 2026 | 326 |
| 300/6 | Kimberley | 1998 | 296 |
| 299/5 | Karachi | 2019 | 298 |
Partnership And Batting Milestones
A Record Sixth-Wicket Stand
Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz added a crucial 94 for the sixth wicket. That is now the highest sixth-or-lower wicket partnership for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in home ODIs.
| Runs | Pair | Venue and Year | Wicket |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz | Lahore, 2026 | 6th |
| 67 | Imran Khan and Saleem Malik | Faisalabad, 1987 | 6th |
| 66* | Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Nawaz | Rawalpindi, 2025 | 6th |
| 66 | Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed | Karachi, 2008 | 7th |
Joining The 100 Club
Pakistan also registered their 100th ODI total of 300 or more. That puts them in an exclusive group of teams in ODI history.
| Team | 300+ Totals |
|---|---|
| India | 145 |
| Australia | 127 |
| England | 111 |
| South Africa | 108 |
| Pakistan | 100 |
An 18-Year Wait Finally Ends
The triumph also ended a long drought. Pakistan’s last ODI tri-series title came at the 2008 Kitply Cup, where they beat India in the final at Mirpur in a tournament that also featured Bangladesh.
Since then, no tri-series trophy had come their way. Now, in front of their home fans, the wait is over.
A record chase, a record stand, a landmark total and a long-awaited trophy. It was a night that Pakistan cricket will not forget, and one that has set a new standard for finals chases in ODI history.
