Sri Lanka Pakistan meet in perfect ODI tri-series finale
Sri Lanka Pakistan fans get a dream ODI tri-series final in Lahore after both sides traded wins in the league stage. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and chose to field, with all-rounder Shadab Khan ruled out unwell. The clash caps a high-scoring tournament that already knocked England out.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first against Sri Lanka in Saturday’s ODI tri-series final in Lahore.
- Shadab Khan missed the final after a medical issue linked to a head blow in the previous Sri Lanka game; Faheem Ashraf replaced him.
- Sri Lanka brought in Maheesh Theekshana for his first match of the series in place of Eshan Malinga.
- Earlier, Dilshan Madushanka’s five-wicket haul helped Sri Lanka bowl Pakistan out for 110 and end England’s final hopes.
- Pavan Rathnayake has been Sri Lanka’s standout batter, with two centuries and 350 runs in the tournament.
What happened in the Sri Lanka Pakistan final build-up?
According to the Associated Press, Afridi called correctly at the Gaddafi Stadium and asked Sri Lanka to bat. That decision came hours after Pakistan confirmed Shadab was unavailable for “medical reason,” following a bouncer strike in Tuesday’s league match.
Shadab had sealed Pakistan’s place in the final with an unbeaten 113 off 96 balls in a one-wicket win over England, adding an 89-run last-wicket stand with Haris Rauf. His absence is the hosts’ only change from the side beaten by eight wickets by Sri Lanka midweek.
Sri Lanka, defending a total for the first time in this event, also made one tweak: spinner Theekshana came in for Malinga. For more match-day streaming and TV alerts, see BlasterPost Streaming & TV Alerts.
Why does this Sri Lanka Pakistan finale matter?
ESPNcricinfo’s preview framed the contest as the logical climax to a balanced, drama-light series: varied pitches in Rawalpindi and Lahore, strong crowds, and two full-strength sides with contrasting strengths.
Pakistan’s bowling—led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf—has been the tournament’s best, helping defend modest totals and restricting England to 241. Their batting top three, however, have struggled, forcing the middle and lower order to rebuild.
Sri Lanka’s batters have lit up the event, including a chase of 430 against England—among the highest successful ODI pursuits—and two scores past 330. Pakistan’s pace and spin attack versus that Sri Lanka firepower looks set to decide the trophy.
How did Sri Lanka reach the final against Pakistan?
The Guardian reported that Madushanka’s career-best five for 34 skittled Pakistan for 110 on Tuesday. Sri Lanka chased the target with more than 31 overs to spare, Kamindu Mendis finishing unbeaten on 62, and England were mathematically eliminated.
Pakistan had already booked the final with three early wins, including that epic last-wicket escape against England and a 37-run win over Sri Lanka in the opener. Sri Lanka then answered with the Lahore thrashing and kept fighting with 331 against England in a lost chase of 387.
Cricinfo notes 24-year-old Rathnayake averages 116.67 with a strike rate of 123.67 across the series, while Babar Azam again faces scrutiny for converting starts into a decisive final innings. Warm, sunny Lahore conditions point to another high-scoring surface—and a fitting end to an entertaining tri-series.