Kamindu Mendis scored his first ODI century in the Final match of the Tri-series against Pakistan. On a slow Gaddafi Stadium pitch in Lahore, the left-hander produced a composed, match-defining 131 off 128 balls as Sri Lanka posted 325 for 8 in the tri-series final against Pakistan. His knock included 12 fours and two sixes as he went past his previous best of 64. The innings helped the visitors set a competitive target of 326 and also announced that he had now found his white-ball form on the biggest stage.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl, hoping the early conditions would help their pace attack. Kamindu and Avishka Fernando responded with a solid 87-run opening stand inside 18 overs. Fernando made 38 before spinner Salman Agha struck, removing him and then Kusal Mendis (8) in quick succession to leave Sri Lanka at 109 for 2. That was the moment Kamindu took control as he settled into a rhythm with aggression, rotating the strike and punishing anything loose.
The arrival of in-form Pavan Rathnayake changed the momentum completely. The pair added a massive partnership of 146 runs for the third wicket. Rathnayake contributed a lively 77 off 65 balls, while Kamindu kept the scoreboard ticking and reached his maiden ODI hundred in the 34th over with a delicate cut over the keeper’s head. By the 40th over Sri Lanka were 238 for 2 and looking set for 350-plus. Shaheen Shah Afridi trapped Kamindu lbw in the 42nd over for 131 and followed it up by dismissing Dasun Shanaka soon after as Sri Lanka were restricted to 325 in the first innings.
Pakistan pull off a thrilling chase to win the ODI Tri-Series final.
Chasing a massive target, the hosts reached 331 for 7 in 48.3 overs, winning by three wickets with nine balls to spare at Gaddafi Stadium. Fakhar Zaman led the way with a sparkling 127, while Saad Baig scored a solid 74 in a key partnership that kept the required rate under control. Sri Lanka picked wickets at intervals, but Hasan Nawaz’s calm 37 not out steadied the middle and half-century from Arafat Minhas helped them get ahead in the chase. Asitha Fernando picked up a couple of wickets but it was too little, too late for the visitors.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi then walked out and sealed the victory in style, smashing a six off Dilshan Madushanka to finish the job. It was the joint-highest successful chase in an ODI final. After a shaky start and earlier struggles in the series, Pakistan showed real fight under pressure and won the title on home soil.
