LAHORE: Sri Lanka set Pakistan a challenging target of 326 runs in the ODI tri-series final on Saturday after Kamindu Mendis struck his maiden ODI century and Pavan Rathnayake scored an impressive half-century at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Sri Lanka post 325/8 against Pakistan in the final of the ODI Tri-Series in Lahore.
🔥 Kamindu Mendis – 131
💥 Pavan Rathnayake – 77
https://t.co/dgIXcxHGm0— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet) October 31, 2026
Batting first after Pakistan elected to field, Sri Lanka posted 325-8 in 50 overs, building their innings around Kamindu’s magnificent 131 and Rathnayake’s 77. Avishka Fernando also made a valuable contribution with 38 runs as the visitors maintained a competitive scoring rate throughout their innings.
Kamindu Mendis leads Sri Lanka’s batting charge
Sri Lanka’s openers, Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis, provided a solid start with an 87-run partnership for the first wicket before Salman Ali Agha dismissed Fernando leg-before-wicket (LBW).
Kamindu Mendis scored 131 (128 balls) for Sri Lanka against Pakistan.
Final | ODI Tri Series in Pakistan 2026#Cricket #StumpTheory #KaminduMendis #SriLankaVsPakistan #SLvsPAK #OdiTriSeriesInPakistan2026 https://t.co/rL3LmuypMI
— Stump Theory (@StumpTheoryOnX) October 31, 2026
Fernando scored 38 off 49 balls, hitting three fours and a six.
Captain Kusal Mendis joined Kamindu but could manage only eight runs before Salman struck again, completing a caught-and-bowled dismissal to leave Sri Lanka at 109-2 in 21.3 overs.
Kamindu then combined with Pavan Rathnayake to launch a counterattack against Pakistan’s bowling attack. Their 146-run partnership for the third wicket took Sri Lanka beyond the 200-run mark and put the visitors in a strong position.
Kamindu reached his maiden ODI century and continued to accelerate before Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi dismissed him LBW.
The left-hander’s outstanding 131 came off 128 deliveries and included 12 fours and two sixes.
A disciplined effort from Pakistan’s pacers in the death overs☄️
Sri Lanka set Pakistan a target of 326 in the tri-series final 🏏
#PAKvSL | #CricketKaJashan | #BackTheBoysInGreen https://t.co/Go2Hbt9laX
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 31, 2026
Pakistan bowlers strike back in final overs
Shaheen removed Dasun Shanaka for 17 off just nine balls, including two fours and a six, to leave Sri Lanka at 279-4 in 43.2 overs.
Haris Rauf then dismissed Rathnayake, whose 77 off 65 deliveries featured eight boundaries.
Pakistan continued to pick up wickets in the closing overs, with Naseem Shah dismissing Janith Liyanage for six and later removing Sahan Arachchige, who scored 15 off 12 balls.
Haris also claimed the wicket of Dunith Wellalage for three as Sri Lanka slipped to 305-7.
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However, Asitha Fernando and Maheesh Theekshana added crucial runs towards the end, helping Sri Lanka finish on 325-8. Fernando remained unbeaten on six, while Theekshana was not out on nine.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha and Haris Rauf claimed two wickets each.
Pakistan now need 326 runs to win the tri-series final.
