Team Neemopani
Lahore got the ending it wanted. In the PAK vs SL final at Gaddafi Stadium on 31 October 2026, Pakistan chased down 326 against Sri Lanka with three wickets and nine balls to spare. Fakhar Zaman hit 127, Arafat Minhas smashed 61 off 31 balls, and captain Shaheen Afridi finished it with a six. Pakistan are the 2026 ODI tri-series champions.
PAK vs SL Final 2026: Key Facts
- Result: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets
- Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (day/night)
- Date: 31 October 2026
- Target: 326, chased with 9 balls left
- Top scorer: Kamindu Mendis 131 (SL); Fakhar Zaman 127 (PAK)
- Winning shot: Shaheen Afridi six off Dilshan Madushanka
PAK vs SL Final Scorecard Summary
| Team | Score | Top performers |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 325/8 (50 overs) | Kamindu Mendis 131, Pavan Rathnayake 77 |
| Pakistan | 331/7 (48.3 overs) | Fakhar Zaman 127 (99), Saad Baig 74 (75), Arafat Minhas 61 (31) |
Best bowling: Dilshan Madushanka 3-63 for Sri Lanka; Salman Agha 2-44 and Shaheen Afridi 2-50 for Pakistan. Full scorecard on ESPNcricinfo.
Sri Lanka Looked Set for 350
Sri Lanka batted first and were cruising. Kamindu Mendis scored 131 and added 146 with Pavan Rathnayake for the third wicket. After 41 overs they were 255 for 2.
Then Shaheen removed Kamindu, and the innings fell apart. Sri Lanka lost five wickets for 28 runs and finished on 325 for 8. Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah took two wickets each in the late collapse, another strong night for Naseem after his injury comeback. Shaheen’s 2 for 50 from ten overs on a batting pitch turned the game.
14 for 2, Then Fakhar Zaman Takes Over
The chase started badly. Pakistan slipped to 14 for 2 early on.
Fakhar Zaman and Saad Baig rebuilt with a 149-run stand for the third wicket. Baig’s 74 off 75 balls kept the scoreboard moving while Fakhar settled in. Fakhar was dropped on 69 by Maheesh Theekshana in the 25th over, and Sri Lanka paid for it. He went on to 127 off 99 balls, his 12th ODI hundred and another big knock in a final.
Arafat Minhas: The 31-Ball Game Changer
With the top order gone, the job was still not done. Batting at No. 7, Arafat Minhas hit 61 off just 31 balls. With Hasan Nawaz (37 not out), he added 94 runs off 65 balls for the sixth wicket. That stand broke Sri Lanka.
Heavy dew also made the ball hard to grip for Sri Lanka’s bowlers and fielders late in the evening, and misfields piled up as the target got closer.
Shaheen Afridi Finishes It in Style
The captain took the key wicket earlier, and he ended the night too. Shaheen Afridi hit Madushanka over deep midwicket for six to seal the trophy in front of the Lahore crowd.
Key Takeaways From the PAK vs SL Final
- Fakhar is still Pakistan’s big-match player. Another century in a final.
- Saad Baig gives the middle order stability. His 74 rescued the chase at 14 for 2.
- Arafat Minhas has earned more chances. A 31-ball 61 at No. 7 wins finals.
- Shaheen’s captaincy passed a big test. Key wicket, tight spell, winning runs.
This win continues a good month against Sri Lanka, after Farhan’s 89 set up a T20 win. It also follows Shadab Khan’s century against England.
What’s Next for Pakistan Cricket?
Fans are now following the Hong Kong Sixes, where an Abbas Afridi-led Pakistan side is in action. For more match reports, player stories and memes, visit Neemopani’s cricket section.
Who was your player of the final: Fakhar, Minhas or Shaheen? Tell us in the comments.
PAK vs SL Final: FAQs
Who won the PAK vs SL final 2026?
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets in Lahore on 31 October 2026 to win the ODI tri-series.
How many runs did Fakhar Zaman score in the final?
127 off 99 balls, his 12th ODI century.
Who was Pakistan’s game changer in the PAK vs SL final?
Arafat Minhas, with 61 off 31 balls batting at No. 7.
Who hit the winning runs?
Captain Shaheen Afridi, with a six off Dilshan Madushanka.
Who top-scored for Sri Lanka?
Kamindu Mendis, with 131.
