Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka Highlights, ODI Tri-Series Final: Fakhar Zaman's Century Helps Green Shirts Clinch Title

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Tri-Series 2026 final! Shaheen Shah Afridi's Pakistan take on Kusal Mendis-led Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan will be eager to clinch the title on home soil, while Sri Lanka will look to repeat their dominant league-stage victory over the hosts.

Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka ODI Tri-Series Final Live streaming is not available for the fans in India, however, there are reports that suggests the match can be streamed live on VETO app.

Sri Lanka Squad: Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyanage, Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Sachindu Colombage, Maheesh Theekshana

Pakistan Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Babar Azam, Saad Baig(w), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas, Shaheen Afridi(c), Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, Sahibzada Farhan, Ghazi Ghori, Sufyan Moqim, Razaullah

Sri Lanka will take confidence from their dominant eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in their previous meeting on October 27. Pakistan were bundled out for just 110 in 25.3 overs, with Dilshan Madushanka claiming a career-best 5/34. In response, Kamindu Mendis led the chase with an unbeaten 62 as Sri Lanka cruised to 114/2 in just 18.1 overs. Pakistan will be eager to turn the tables in today's final.

Sri Lanka's batting has been explosive throughout the tournament, but their lower-order collapses remain a concern. While Pavan Rathnayake and Kusal Mendis have delivered big runs, the inability of the tail to contribute could prove costly in the final.

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first!

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Babar Azam, Saad Baig(w), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi(c), Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf

Meanwhile, catch all the action from the Australia vs South Africa 3rd Test, Day 5, in our live blog. Follow the latest scores, key moments and match updates here.

A steady start from Sri Lanka, but Shaheen Shah Afridi keeps things tight in the opening over! Avishka Fernando manages just two runs from six deliveries as Pakistan's captain starts with a disciplined spell, conceding only two runs. Kamindu Mendis is yet to face a ball.

SL 2/0 (1)

Pakistan continue to keep Sri Lanka's openers quiet as Naseem Shah delivers another disciplined over. Just six runs come off the fourth over, with Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis struggling to find boundaries and accelerate the scoring. Naseem has been particularly impressive, conceding only nine runs in his two overs without picking up a wicket.

SL 16/0 (4)

Sri Lanka continue to build their innings steadily without losing a wicket. The openers have added 43 runs in the first nine overs, maintaining a scoring rate of 4.78. Pakistan have managed to keep the boundaries in check, but will be desperate to break this opening partnership. Sri Lanka are off to a cautious start in the final.

SL 43/0 (9)

Pakistan continue to keep the scoring rate in check, with Arafat Minhas delivering another economical over.
Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis have looked comfortable at the crease but are yet to shift gears and put the bowlers under pressure.

SL 55/0 (11)

Sri Lanka have finally shifted gears after a cautious start, with Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis finding the boundaries and building momentum.
The opening pair continues to frustrate Pakistan, keeping the scoreboard ticking and laying a solid platform for the latter stages.

SL 84/0 (15)

Salman Ali Agha finally breaks the opening partnership, trapping Avishka Fernando lbw for 38 off 49 balls after Pakistan's bowlers built pressure with a maiden over.

Fernando goes for a sweep but misses a straight delivery, and ball-tracking confirms it would have hit leg stump. Kusal Mendis walks in next.

SL 89/1 (18)

Naseem Shah gets Kamindu Mendis to chip a full delivery towards cover, but Salman Agha dives low to collect it just before it hits the ground. A lucky escape for Mendis, with Naseem left holding his head in disbelief.

Naseem surprises Mendis with a sharp bouncer. The batter initially looks to pull but quickly pulls out of the shot as the ball sails over him. Naseem follows through with a fierce stare in Mendis' direction.

Shaheen starts with a short and wide delivery outside off. Rathnayake throws his bat at it, slicing the ball behind square on the off-side. The fielder at third man cleans up, but the batters come back for two.

Rathnayake works a full delivery off his pads towards deep square leg and picks up a single. Mendis then pushes the next ball towards mid-off but quickly turns down the call for a run.

Rathnayake gets a bit of width outside off and cuts the short delivery towards sweeper cover for a single.

Kamindu Mendis brought up his maiden ODI century in style, seizing upon a short, off-stump delivery from Faheem Ashraf. Patiently waiting for the ball, Mendis skillfully upper-glided it fine towards third man, watching it take a single bounce before clearing the ropes. The milestone was met with rich applause from the crowd as Mendis raised his bat, while his coaches stood up in the pavilion to acknowledge a truly terrific and memorable innings.

Sri Lanka maintained complete command, moving from 193/2 to 232/2. Driven by Kamindu Mendis (122*) and Pavan Rathnayake (56*), the pair brought up their 100-run partnership and crossed team 200. Rathnayake scored his series fourth fifty, while Mendis smashed a six off Naseem Shah, adding 39 runs across the five-over period.

Shaheen Afridi finally ended a brilliant knock from Kamindu Mendis, trapping the batter lbw for a magnificent 131 off 128 balls. Attempting a scoop shot off a low full-toss on middle and leg, Mendis missed the ball entirely and was struck low on the pads. Although he opted for a review, tracking confirmed the ball was clipping the top of leg stump to sustain the umpire's decision. As Mendis walked off the field after a superb inning, the Pakistani players showed great sportsmanship by offering him appreciative pats on the back.

Naseem Shah strikes as Pakistan continue to tighten their grip in the closing overs. Liyanage makes room and slices a low full toss towards deep point, but fails to find the gap, sending it straight into Maaz Sadaqat's hands. Sri Lanka lose another wicket, with Liyanage departing for 6 off 9 balls.

Sri Lanka have given Pakistan a challenging target of 326, despite a late fightback from the visitors. Kamindu Mendis led the charge with his maiden ODI century, stitching together a match-defining 146-run stand with Pavan Rathnayake, who scored another half-century.

Pakistan's pacers found their footing towards the end, picking up wickets at regular intervals to prevent Sri Lanka from crossing an even bigger total. Can Pakistan chase down 326 and clinch the title? The action resumes shortly with the run chase!

The chase is on! Fakhar Zaman and Maaz Sadaqat are out in the middle, with Fakhar taking strike. Asitha Fernando has the new ball in hand as Sri Lanka look to make an early breakthrough.

Madushanka draws first blood! Sadaqat charges down the track and makes room for a big drive, but a hint of movement away catches his outside edge. Pavan Rathnayake reacts sharply at first slip, taking a superb overhead catch to send the opener back for 5. Pakistan lose their first wicket.

Massive blow for Pakistan! Madushanka strikes again, and Babar Azam is gone for a duck. Pavan Rathnayake takes another catch as Sri Lanka land an early double blow in the chase. Pakistan are in deep trouble with two wickets down.

Baig finally finds the boundary! He gets this one away towards deep square leg, beating the fielder to pick up four runs. A much-needed release for Pakistan after a shaky start.

Fakhar Zaman goes big! Theekshana tosses it up around off, and Fakhar gets right to the pitch of the ball before launching it high over wide mid-wicket. The ball sails deep into the stands for a massive six. Pakistan need more of those.

Fakhar finds the gap for another boundary! Asitha goes full and targets the stumps, but the batter brings his bottom hand into play and whips it away towards mid-wicket. He gets it wide enough of the fielder to collect four more runs. Pakistan need Fakhar to keep this counterattack going.

Fakhar Zaman and Saad Baig constructed a solid recovery effort for Pakistan after early blows, steadying the innings to take the score to 79/2 at the end of the 15th over. Dilshan Madushanka had earlier caused major damage by picking up two early wickets, but the left-handed pair gradually shifted the pressure back onto the Sri Lankan attack.

Young wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig brought up his maiden One Day International half-century in style, capitalizing on a leg-side delivery from Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka strayed on the pads, and Baig neatly clipped it towards fine leg, tucking it away and hustling back for a sharp couple of runs despite a sliding effort in the deep. It capped off an exceptional and composed knock under pressure, providing Pakistan with a crucial anchor to steady the innings.

Fakhar Zaman brought up his 20th One Day International half-century in grand fashion, ruthlessly punishing a short delivery from Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka erred with his line, sliding one down the leg side, and Fakhar was quick to pounce, pulling it convincingly through backward square leg to find the fence. It was a milestone marked by authoritative strokeplay, completing a vital, steadying innings that Pakistan will desperately count on him to convert into a match-defining total.

Saad Baig’s fine counter-attacking knock came to an unceremonious end through a soft dismissal, handing Sri Lanka the vital breakthrough they so desperately sought. Facing a relatively harmless full-length delivery on off stump from Maheesh Theekshana, the young batter tamely chipped the ball straight back into the waiting hands of the spinner for a simple return catch. Visible with frustration as he trudged off for a well-made 74 off 75 balls, Baig was forced to walk back after putting an end to a dangerous partnership that had well and truly turned the heat back on the opposition.

Fakhar Zaman brought up his 12th One Day International century in emphatic fashion, joining Saeed Anwar as only the second Pakistani batter to score two hundreds in an ODI final. Pouncing on a short delivery on middle stump from Asitha Fernando, Fakhar rocked back early and hammered a authoritative pull shot past deep mid-wicket for four. He promptly took off his helmet and raised his bat to acknowledge a standing ovation from his teammates in the dressing room, sealing a memorable milestone on the big stage.

Dilshan Madushanka finally broke through for Sri Lanka, producing a perfect yorker to clean up Fakhar Zaman and end a magnificent, match-defining innings. Having been dropped three times earlier in his knock, the centurion made the opposition pay heavily, carving up the bowling attack to put Pakistan firmly in control of the chase. Anticipating Fakhar's advance down the track, Madushanka cleverly adjusted his length, spearing a fast, full delivery straight into the base of middle stump as the batter swung completely past it. Fakhar departed for a blistering 127 off 99 balls, walking off to a rousing standing ovation after delivering a masterclass in aggressive ODI batting.

Dunith Wellalage continued Sri Lanka's swift fightback by clean-bowling Salman Agha, capping off a brilliant pressure-building spell from the hosts. After dismissing the centurion and squeezing the run flow with an aggressive infield, Sri Lanka forced Agha into a desperate attempt to break the shackles. The off-spinner tossed up a arm-ball that drifted in sharply, tempting Agha into a sweep; the batter went through the shot far too early, missing it entirely as the ball crashed into the top of off stump. Departing for 17 off 25 deliveries, Agha's dismissal threw the contest wide open once again, putting the pressure firmly back on Pakistan's middle order.

With spin twins Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage having exhausted their quotas, Sri Lanka are left to plug the remaining overs through pace, dividing five between Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka while tasking captain Dasun Shanaka with the rest. Asitha appears slated to shoulder the critical 45th, 47th, and 49th overs in a high-stakes closing spell. Out in the middle, Pakistan’s middle-order pairing looks notably calm and unruffled despite the climbing pressure, setting up an intriguing finish as to whether their composure will ultimately steer Pakistan past the target.

Asitha Fernando delivered a pivotal breakthrough just when Pakistan seemed poised for victory, removing a heroic Arafat Minhas through a sharp caught-and-bowled. Digging it short and into the deck, Asitha hurried Minhas as the batter backed away to pull, forcing a mistimed contact off the splice of the bat that lobbed high toward cover. Asitha tracked it down brilliantly, covering ground to complete the catch and end a scintillating 31-ball 61. Though Minhas fell short of hitting the winning runs, his blistering, pressure-busting knock had already swung the game decisively in Pakistan’s favor, drawing thoroughly deserved applause as he departed.

Asitha Fernando turned the match on its head by removing Faheem Ashraf for a golden duck, putting himself on a dramatic hat-trick. Sensing the batter's aggressive intent, Asitha banged in a sharp, short delivery wide of off stump; Faheem attempted to ramp it over third man, but failed to get sufficient elevation or distance. Maheesh Theekshana tracked the ball effortlessly, running to his left near the boundary rope to complete a clean catch. Faheem’s soft departure added another late twist to the high-voltage finish, leaving Sri Lanka just one ball away from a remarkable hat-trick.

In a fittingly dramatic conclusion to a captivating tri-series, Pakistan held their nerve in a pendulum-swinging chase to outlast Sri Lanka and claim the title with nine balls to spare. Sri Lanka struck early through Dilshan Madushanka’s double blow—removing Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam—before Fakhar Zaman capitalized on three dropped chances to turn the final on its head. Fakhar anchored a crucial century-stand alongside youngster Saad Baig (74) before powering to a milestone hundred, joining Saeed Anwar as the only Pakistanis with two centuries in ODI finals. Though Sri Lanka ignited a late flurry through Madushanka and Dunith Wellalage to break the middle order, a fearless 94-run partnership between Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas—highlighted by Minhas’s blistering 28-ball fifty—steered Pakistan safely over the line. Sri Lanka were ultimately left to lament a late-innings batting stutter that cost them 20 to 25 extra runs, leaving their final total of 325 just short of defending in a classic final.