Tri-nation series: Sri Lanka secured an easy victory, defeating Pakistan who were bowled out for 110 runs

The match, held under day-night floodlights at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, concluded in less than forty-four overs. The Sri Lankan team achieved a massive 8-wicket victory, turning the 5050th One Day International match, played on October 27, 2026, into an extremely bitter memory for host Pakistan on their home soil.

Left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka justified Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis's decision to bowl first after winning the toss, completely shattering the Lahore pitch's reputation for high scores. The hosts' top and middle-order batsmen, who were invigorated by a narrow one-wicket victory against England two days prior, were helpless against Madushanka's short balls and variations. Madushanka recorded his best bowling figures in his ODI career, taking 5 wickets for 34 runs. Previously, he had taken 5 wickets for 80 runs against India in the 2023 World Cup. He completed his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, joining the ranks of top performances by a Sri Lankan fast bowler against Pakistan in ODI history, and also won the Player of the Match award.

Pakistan's innings was restricted to 110 runs in 25.3 overs. This was Pakistan's second-lowest ODI score recorded on home soil; they had been bowled out for fewer runs only once before, for 75 against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 2009. This also marked their lowest score batting first at Gaddafi Stadium, as well as their lowest first-innings total against Sri Lanka.

Highlighting Pakistan's long-standing top-order weakness, only Babar Azam managed to pass the 17-run mark, scoring 29 runs off 33 balls with five fours. Hasan Nawaz scored 17 runs, while captain Shaheen Shah Afridi offered some resistance with 15 runs, including two sixes. In addition to Madushanka, the bowling attack was strengthened by Sahan Arachchige taking 2 wickets for 24 runs, Asitha Fernando taking 1 wicket for 34 runs, Eshan Malinga taking 1 wicket for 8 runs, and Dunith Wellalage taking 1 wicket for 4 runs. The extras accounted for 7 runs.

The Sri Lankan team, batting in response, recorded an easy victory, scoring 114 runs for 2 wickets in 18.1 overs. Kamindu Mendis, who survived a catch opportunity early in his innings, successfully overturned an LBW decision against him at 44 runs using the Decision Review System (DRS) and remained unbeaten on 62 runs. His 60-ball innings included 8 fours and 2 sixes. Pawan Rathnayake provided excellent support, scoring an unbeaten 23 runs off 26 balls. Avishka Fernando was dismissed for 16 runs, while captain Kusal Mendis was out in an unusual manner, with a ball from Arafat Minhas deflecting off his bat onto the stumps. Shaheen Shah Afridi took one wicket for 29 runs, and Arafat Minhas took one wicket for 23 runs.

For Pakistan, Maas Sadakat was called into the squad in place of Saim Ayub, and Naseem Shah returned after recovering from an injury. Sri Lanka played with their previous winning squad without any changes. Naseer Hussain and Wayne Knights officiated as on-field umpires, while Sharfuddoula served as the TV umpire and Jeff Crowe as the match referee.

This tri-nation series, held from October 18 to 31 in Rawalpindi and Lahore as a preparatory event for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, was a crucial milestone determining the future trajectory of all three teams. At the end of 5 matches, according to the points table, Pakistan qualified for the final with 3 wins from 4 matches, 6 points, and a net run rate of -0.114. Sri Lanka entered the final with 2 wins from 3 matches played, 4 points, and a net run rate of +1.255. England, having lost all 3 matches played, was eliminated from the tournament with no points and a net run rate of -0.733.

At the start of this tournament, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs after scoring 305 runs, and then secured an 87-run victory against England by scoring 302 runs. Subsequently, Sri Lanka chased down England's massive total of 429 runs, scoring 430 for 8 wickets to record a historic victory, marking the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history. In the fourth match, Pakistan defeated England by one wicket while chasing a target of 241 runs, thanks to Shadab Khan's unbeaten 113.

The upcoming matches in the tournament include the non-decisive final preliminary match between Sri Lanka and England on October 29, and the final match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on October 31, both scheduled to be held at Gaddafi Stadium.