Pakistan and Sri Lanka meet in the final of the ODI tri-series today, Saturday 31 October 2026, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with the hosts chasing a first tri-series title on home soil since 2008.
Pakistan reached the final after winning their first three league matches — two against England and one against Sri Lanka. Salman Ali Agha scored a century in the opening win over Sri Lanka, and Shadab Khan's unbeaten 113 carried Pakistan to a thrilling one-wicket win over England. But the momentum took a hit in the last league game, when Sri Lanka bowled Pakistan out for just 110 and won by eight wickets, with left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka taking five wickets for 34 runs.
History adds extra weight to today's match. Pakistan have lost their last three tri-series finals at home — to Australia in 1994, to Sri Lanka in 2004 and to New Zealand last year. A win today would end that long wait and give the team a big boost ahead of next year's ODI World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan's biggest worry is the top order. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam have managed only 31 and 118 runs respectively in four matches, and the team will need a strong start against Sri Lanka's confident attack. The bowling, though, has been Pakistan's strength: captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf with the new ball, backed by spinners Shadab Khan and Arafat Minhas.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have been the most exciting batting side of the tournament. They chased down 430 against England — one of the highest targets in ODI history — and young middle-order batter Pavan Rathnayake has scored two centuries against England and 79 against Pakistan, piling up 350 runs at an average of 116.67. Captain Kusal Mendis has said his side is confident but knows beating Pakistan at home will be a tough task.
Head coach Mike Hesson believes Pakistan's best is yet to come. "To get three wins in a row was a good sign, but I still don't think we have played our best game yet. Hopefully, we are saving that for the final," he said.
Today's final is a battle between Pakistan's bowling attack and Sri Lanka's in-form batting — and a chance for the Green Shirts to finally lift a home tri-series trophy after 18 years.
Sources: The Nation, Cricketnmore and Sportstar previews of the final.
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Roman Urdu version:
Pakistan aur Sri Lanka aaj, haftay 31 October 2026 ko Lahore ke Gaddafi Stadium mein ODI tri-series ke final mein aamne saamne honge. Pakistan 2008 ke baad pehli baar apne ghar mein tri-series ka title jeetne ki koshish karega.
Pakistan ne league stage mein pehle teen match jeete — England ke khilaaf do aur Sri Lanka ke khilaaf aik — lekin aakhri league match mein Sri Lanka ne Pakistan ko sirf 110 runs par out karke 8 wickets se hara diya.
Pakistan ki sab se bari pareshani top order hai: Fakhar Zaman ne 4 matches mein sirf 31 aur Babar Azam ne 118 runs banaye hain. Lekin bowling mazboot hai — captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah aur Haris Rauf ke saath Shadab Khan aur Arafat Minhas.
Sri Lanka ki batting zabardast form mein hai — unhon ne England ke khilaaf 430 runs ka target chase kiya, aur naujawan batter Pavan Rathnayake ne England ke khilaaf do centuries aur Pakistan ke khilaaf 79 runs banaye.
Aaj ka final Pakistan ki bowling aur Sri Lanka ki batting ke darmiyan aik bara muqabla hoga — aur Green Shirts ke paas 18 saal baad ghar mein trophy uthane ka mauqa hai.
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