Pakistan beat Sri Lanka to win ODI tri-series final

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by three wickets in the ODI tri-series final in Lahore, chasing a target of 326 to claim the title. The hosts reached 331 for seven in 48.3 overs, with nine balls remaining, after Sri Lanka had scored 325 for eight in its 50 overs. Fakhar Zaman anchored the chase with 127 from 99 balls, including 11 fours and six sixes. Arafat Minhas scored 61 from 31 deliveries, and Saad Baig made 74 from 75 balls. Shaheen Afridi finished the match with a six. Pakistan’s innings began with the loss of Maaz Sadaqat for five and captain Babar Azam for a duck, leaving the side at 14 for two. Zaman and Baig then added 149 runs for the third wicket, steadying the chase. Baig was dismissed for 74, while Zaman continued until Dilshan Madushanka bowled him in the 34th over, with Pakistan still needing 106 runs. Minhas and Hasan Nawaz took charge in the closing stages, putting on 94 for the sixth wicket. Nawaz remained unbeaten on 37. Minhas was dismissed in the 48th over, and Asitha Fernando removed Faheem Ashraf for a first-ball duck in the same over, leaving Pakistan two runs short of victory. Afridi struck the winning six. Earlier, Kamindu Mendis led Sri Lanka’s innings...