Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by three wickets in the Triangular ODI final, claiming the championship title at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The match was held on Saturday, and Pakistan successfully chased down the target of 326 runs.
Outstanding Performance by Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar Zaman played a crucial role in his team's victory with an exceptional batting display, scoring 127 runs off 99 balls, making him the only second Pakistani player to register a century in an ODI final. He led his team to victory with 11 fours and 6 sixes.
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Pakistan faced challenges at the start of the match, with Maz Sadaat dismissed for 5 and Babar Azam out for a duck, leaving the team at 14 for 2. However, Fakhar Zaman continued the innings as the team's pillar, scoring a century before being dismissed for 220 for 4 by Dilshan Madushanka.
Key Partnerships in Victory
After Fakhar Zaman's dismissal, Salman Agha also struggled to make an impact, scoring only 17 runs. However, Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas kept the team's hopes alive with a crucial partnership of 94 runs for the sixth wicket. Minhas scored 61 runs off 31 balls, while Hasan Nawaz contributed an unbeaten 37 runs off 45 balls.
Minhas was out at 324, and Faheem Ashraf also departed for a duck, leaving Pakistan in a position needing just two runs with three wickets in hand. Captain Shaheen Afridi secured the victory for his team with a six, leading Pakistan to the championship.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had posted 325 runs in their 50 overs, primarily due to a century from Kusal Mendis. Mendis played a significant role in his team's success, scoring 131 runs off 128 balls.
With this victory, Pakistan claimed the Triangular ODI Championship title, showcasing their strength and teamwork in critical conditions.
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