Fakhar Zaman Century Seals Tri-Series Title for Pakistan

A brilliant Fakhar Zaman century powered Pakistan to a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the final of the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on October 31, as the hosts chased down a target of 326 with nine balls to spare to lift the trophy.

Fakhar scored 127 off just 99 balls, his 12th century in one-day internationals, after being dropped three times. His knock turned a tough chase into a winning one and gave Pakistan the title on home soil.

Fakhar Zaman Century Leads the Chase

Pakistan lost two early wickets when left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka removed Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam, putting the hosts under pressure in a big run chase. Fakhar then took control, rotating the strike and finding the boundary regularly.

Saad Baig gave him strong support with 74 off 75 balls. After Madushanka finally dismissed Fakhar, Arafat Minhas changed the game with a blistering 61 off 31 balls, and Hasan Nawaz helped steer Pakistan home in the closing overs. Dunith Wellalage bowled Salman Agha, while Asitha Fernando picked up the wickets of Minhas and Faheem Ashraf, but Sri Lanka could not stop the chase.

Kamindu Mendis Ton Sets Up Big Total

Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 325 for 8 in their 50 overs. Kamindu Mendis scored a maiden ODI century, making 131 off 128 balls before he was dismissed by Shaheen Afridi. He shared a 146-run stand with Pavan Rathnayake, who also scored a half-century, while Avishka Fernando made 38 off 49 balls.

Tri-Series Results at a Glance

The series featured Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England, with matches played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from October 18 to 31.

Pakistan won three of their four league matches to reach the final, where they avenged their eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka from four days earlier.

What the Fakhar Zaman Century Means for Pakistan

• Big-match form: the opener has again shown he can win finals, a role he is known for in Pakistan cricket.
• Chasing confidence: chasing 326 in a final gives the team belief for tougher series ahead.
• Middle-order depth: Saad Baig and Arafat Minhas showed the lower order can finish games under pressure.
• Bowling to work on: conceding 325 at home shows the attack still needs to tighten up in the middle overs.

For fans, the Fakhar Zaman century will be remembered as the knock that turned a difficult chase into a title win in front of the Lahore crowd, and it ends the home tri-series on a high for the Green Shirts.

For official updates, visit the Pakistan Cricket Board website.

Read More: Sri Lanka Beat Pakistan by 8 Wickets, Reach Tri-Series Final