Pakistan won the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka final of the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Saturday, 31 October, chasing 326 to win by three wickets with nine balls to spare. Fakhar Zaman made 127 off 99 balls and Arafat Minhas hit 61 off 31. According to ANI, the chase equals the highest in an ODI final. For the Pakistan Cricket Board, sponsors and broadcasters, a home side that wins a high-scoring final is the strongest possible lead-in to the Sri Lanka Tests and the next Pakistan Super League season.
The short version
- Sri Lanka made 325 for 8; Pakistan replied with 331 for 7 in 48.3 overs.
- The chase is joint-highest in an ODI final, level with India’s 2002 NatWest final at Lord’s, ANI reported.
- The title restores momentum after Pakistan’s 110 all-out defeat to Sri Lanka four days earlier.
- Two Tests against Sri Lanka follow from 9 November, and the PSL 12 player market is already open.
What happened
Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and chose to field. Kamindu Mendis made 131 off 128 balls and Pavan Rathnayake 77 off 65, sharing a third-wicket stand of 146 after an 87-run opening partnership, but Pakistan took six wickets in the last ten overs to hold Sri Lanka to 325 for 8. Shaheen, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha and Haris Rauf took two wickets each, Nukta reported.
Pakistan were 14 for two after four overs. Fakhar and Saad Baig, who made 74 off 75 balls, rebuilt the innings, and Fakhar was out in the 34th over with the score on 220 for four. Arafat Minhas then took the game away with four sixes before falling at 324 in the 48th over, and Hasan Nawaz finished unbeaten on 37 as Shaheen hit the winning six. Fakhar became only the second Pakistan batter with two centuries in ODI finals, according to ANI.
Fakhar Zaman scored almost two-fifths of the target
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka final, Lahore, 31 October 2026 (runs)
Why it matters
Four days before the final, Sri Lanka bowled Pakistan out for 110, as covered in our preview of the Pakistan tri-series final in Lahore. A heavy defeat ahead of a home final makes tickets and airtime harder to sell; a title won with a big chase does the opposite. Winning the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka final gives the PCB a positive story to take into the rest of the home season, when the same opponents return for Tests, and into talks with sponsors for the year ahead.
The knock-on effects
First order: a better sell for the Sri Lanka Tests
Pakistan and Sri Lanka play two Tests in Rawalpindi and Lahore between 9 and 21 November, according to the tournament schedule published by Wisden. Test cricket usually draws smaller crowds than one-day finals, so a winning team and in-form batters help the PCB and the host cities fill seats and keep viewers watching.
Second order: player value before PSL 12
Performances in a televised final raise players’ profiles at the moment franchises are building squads. The PSL 12 player market opened in October, and match-winning displays from players such as Arafat Minhas and Saad Baig give franchises and sponsors more names to market.
Third order: Lahore’s case as an event city
Lahore hosted the whole tri-series, with final tickets priced from Rs400 to Rs22,000, as listed in our guide to Pakistan tri-series tickets. A close, record-equalling final strengthens the city’s pitch for more international fixtures and the hotel, restaurant and transport trade that comes with them.
Who could benefit
- The PCB: a trophy and a strong story for sponsors, broadcasters and Test ticket sales.
- Sponsors and brands: a winning home side to build November campaigns around.
- PSL franchises: more marketable Pakistani players ahead of PSL 12.
- Lahore and Rawalpindi hospitality: more fixtures in November, with home interest running high.
Who may face pressure
- Businesses near the stadiums: match-day road closures and security arrangements during the Tests.
- The PCB’s Test gate: five-day matches are harder to sell than a one-day final, even after a win.
What to watch
- 9 to 21 November: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Tests in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
- November: ticket and sponsorship announcements for the Test series.
- Coming months: PSL 12 signings and franchise deals.
Sources
- Nukta, Fakhar, Arafat star as Pakistan chase 326 to beat Sri Lanka in tri-series final, 31 October 2026
- The Tribune (ANI), Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by three wickets as Fakhar Zaman’s ton seals ODI tri-series title, 31 October 2026
- Wisden, Pakistan Tri-Series 2026: full schedule, squads, venues and match timings, 16 October 2026
- Dawn, Madushanka’s five-for powers Sri Lanka into tri-series final after Pakistan drubbing, 27 October 2026
This is analysis, not investment advice. Figures are as of 31 October 2026.
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