The Pakistan tri-series final in Lahore on Saturday, 31 October, will have the home side in it. Pakistan beat England by one wicket at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday after slumping to 154 for nine, chasing 242, with Shadab Khan making an unbeaten 113 and Haris Rauf holding firm at the other end. For the Pakistan Cricket Board, Lahore’s hospitality trade and the brands on the boundary boards, a home team in the final is the best possible sales pitch for the last week of the series.
The short version
- Pakistan have won all three of their tri-series matches and are through to the final on 31 October.
- Shadab Khan’s 113 not out off 96 balls and an unbroken last-wicket stand of 89 with Haris Rauf turned a likely defeat into a win.
- A home final gives the PCB a stronger hand on gate money, box sales and sponsor visibility, with every match live on UK television.
- England need other results to go their way to join Pakistan in the final.
What happened
Pakistan won the toss and bowled. England were 19 for three before Ben Duckett (105) and Sam Curran (42) added 93 for the fifth wicket, but they were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs, Arab News reported. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi took 4-46, and his wicket of Tom Banton was his 150th in ODIs. Debutant Razaullah took 2-38.
Pakistan’s chase then fell apart. Shadab came in during the 24th over at 103 for six, and the ninth wicket fell at 154. He and Rauf, who made 7 not out off 19 balls, added 89 without being parted, and Rauf hit the winning boundary with 17 balls to spare. Shadab survived an lbw decision with 20 still needed after a review showed an inside edge. According to The National, the stand is the highest for the 10th wicket in a successful ODI chase, and Shadab’s 113 is the highest ODI score by a batter at number eight or lower.
The last wicket made 37% of the target on its own
Pakistan vs England, Lahore, 25 October 2026 (runs)
Why it matters
A final is the one match in a series that can sell out at higher prices, and organisers can only market it fully once they know who is playing. With Pakistan confirmed, the PCB can promote the Pakistan tri-series final as a home occasion for a full week. Final tickets run from Rs400 to Rs22,000, against Rs300 to Rs20,000 for Sunday’s game, as set out in our guide to Pakistan vs England ODI ticket prices in Lahore. A close, record-breaking win also travels: Sky Sports is showing every match live in the UK, and Sunday’s finish gives broadcasters and sponsors a story to sell.
The knock-on effects
First order: ticket demand for the Pakistan tri-series final
A home side in the final usually lifts demand for the dearer enclosures and boxes, where most of the gate revenue sits. Sunday’s match was also a Pink Day for breast cancer awareness, with signed shirts of Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam auctioned before play to fund treatment, Daily Pakistan reported, showing how match days can carry charity and brand campaigns.
Second order: Lahore’s match-week economy
Three more matches in Lahore in seven days mean more trade for hotels, restaurants, food vendors and ride-hailing drivers near Gaddafi Stadium, alongside the usual match-day traffic and security disruption for shops nearby.
Third order: momentum for the PSL and the home season
A winning, watched home side helps the PCB sell what comes next: two Tests against Sri Lanka in November and then a bigger Pakistan Super League, whose PSL 12 player market has already opened. New franchise owners need strong public interest in Pakistani cricket to earn back what they paid.
Who could benefit
- The PCB: gate money and box sales for a home final, plus a stronger case with sponsors.
- Lahore hospitality: hotels, restaurants and transport around three more match days.
- Sponsors and broadcasters: a close series with a home side in the final, shown live in Pakistan and the UK.
- PSL franchises: rising interest in Pakistani players ahead of PSL 12.
Who may face pressure
- Businesses near the stadium: road closures and security arrangements on match days.
- Organisers: if England miss the final, a Pakistan vs Sri Lanka final may draw less UK television interest.
What to watch
- Tuesday, 27 October: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka in Lahore.
- Thursday, 29 October: England vs Sri Lanka, which decides Pakistan’s opponent along with Tuesday’s result.
- Saturday, 31 October: the Pakistan tri-series final in Lahore.
- 9 to 21 November: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Tests in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Sources
- Arab News, Shadab ton stuns England as Pakistan reach tri-series final, 25 October 2026
- The National, Shadab Khan’s world record century secures thrilling tri-series win for Pakistan, 25 October 2026
- Daily Pakistan, Pakistan bowl England out for 241 in Tri-Series clash, 25 October 2026
- Dawn, Why are Pakistan wearing a pink jersey today?, 25 October 2026
- Sky Sports, Sky Sports to show England’s ODI tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka live from October 18-31, 22 October 2026
- Wisden, Pakistan Tri-Series 2026: full schedule, squads, venues and match timings, 16 October 2026
This is analysis, not investment advice. Figures are as of 25 October 2026.
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