Pakistan equal India's all-time record in Lord's chase, clinch tri-nation ODI series

Pakistan produced a remarkable chase to beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in the final of the tri-nation ODI series in Lahore on Saturday, October 31. Chasing a daunting 326 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan rode on a magnificent century from Fakhar Zaman and crucial contributions from Saad Baig and Arafat Minhas to seal the title with nine balls to spare.

The win also meant that Pakistan equaled India’s all-time record for the most successful chase in the final of an ODI tournament. India set the benchmark in 2002 when they were chasing England’s target of 326 in the NatWest Series final at Lord’s.

Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif scripted one of the most memorable comebacks in Indian cricket, rescuing the team from a precarious position and securing a two-wicket win. Pakistan’s success 24 years later put them in the record books alongside India.

The triumph was particularly significant for Pakistan, who have not won the ODI title in three series since the 2008 Kitply Cup in Bangladesh. Their latest success came after a high-pressure chase in which they recovered from an early collapse and held their nerve in the final overs.

MOST SUCCESSFUL RUN-CHASE IN ODI FINAL

India v England – 326 (2002, Lord’s)
Pakistan v Sri Lanka – 326 (2026, Lahore)
India v Pakistan – 315 (1998, Dhaka)
West Indies v Pakistan – 285 (1993, Sharjah)
New Zealand v India – 277 (2005, Harare)

KAMINDU, RATHNAYAKE POWER SRI LANKA

After being asked to bat, Sri Lanka posted an impressive 325 for eight in their 50 overs, with Kaminda Mendis leading the charge with his maiden ODI century. The left-hander made a brilliant 131 off 128 balls, hitting 12 fours and two sixes to give his side a strong platform.

Kamindu found early support from Avishka Fernando who scored 38 as the pair added 87 runs for the opening wicket. However, it was his partnership with Pavan Rathnayak that really put Sri Lanka in a commanding position. The duo added 146 runs for the third wicket with Rathnayake contributing an attacking 77 off 65 deliveries.

Pakistan needed breakthroughs to prevent Sri Lanka from running away with the contest and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi provided them at crucial moments. He dismissed Kamindu and Dasun Shanaka in quick succession while Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah also claimed two wickets each. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled in the closing stages as they claimed six wickets in the last 10 overs to restrict Sri Lanka to 325.

FAKHAR, MINHAS LEAD PAKISTAN HOME

Pakistan’s chase suffered an early setback when Maaz Sadaqat fell for five before Babar Azam was dismissed for a duck. At 14 for two, the home side were under considerable pressure, but Fakhar Zaman refused to be dictated by the pace of the innings.

Fakhar joined Saad Baig to rebuild the chase and the pair added 149 runs for the third wicket. Baig played a composed knock of 74 while Fakhar attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers and brought up a magnificent 127 off 99 balls. His innings included 11 fours and six sixes before he was finally dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka.

Sri Lanka briefly sensed an opportunity when Fakhar and Salman Ali Agha departed, leaving Pakistan in need of a substantial contribution from their lower order. Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz then formed a decisive partnership and added 94 runs to turn the contest back in Pakistan’s favour. Minhas smashed 61 off just 31 balls while Nawaz held his nerve at the other end.

Minhas fell to a touching distance with victory and Faheem Ashraf was dismissed for a golden duck. With two runs needed, Shaheen completed the contest in emphatic fashion, blasting Madushanka over the boundary for a six.

– The end