Summary Hosts collapse in 25.3 overs at Gaddafi Stadium
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Sri Lanka qualified for the final of the ODI tri-series after crushing Pakistan by eight wickets in the fifth match at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, bowling out the hosts for just 110 before chasing down the target in 18 overs.
Sri Lanka comfortably reached their target of 111 in 18 overs, losing only two wickets, as Kamindu Mendis top-scored with an unbeaten 62. Pathum Nissanka's replacement in the line-up, Eshan Malinga's bowling contribution, and a disciplined attack helped Sri Lanka dominate the contest from the outset.
Pakistan, who had already secured their place in the final, endured another batting collapse after Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Pakistan's batting collapse
The hosts struggled to build partnerships, with opener Fakhar Zaman dismissed for five off 13 balls by Dilshan Madushanka in the fourth over. Asitha Fernando then removed Maaz Sadaqat for eight, while Madushanka struck again to dismiss Saad Baig for five, leaving Pakistan under mounting pressure.
Captain Salman Ali Agha managed nine before falling to Sahan Arachchige. Babar Azam was Pakistan's top scorer, making 29 off 33 deliveries, including five fours, before Eshan Malinga sent him back to the pavilion. Pakistan had slipped to 61-5 after 13.1 overs.
Shadab Khan, who had recently scored his maiden ODI century against England, managed only two runs before becoming Arachchige's second victim.
Arafat Minhas scored 10 and Hasan Nawaz added 17, including a six, but neither could rescue the innings. Dunith Wellalage dismissed Hasan Nawaz, while Madushanka continued to dismantle the lower order by removing Minhas and Haris Rauf, who scored one.
Shaheen Shah Afridi struck two sixes during his 15 off 13 balls, helping Pakistan cross the 100-run mark. However, Madushanka dismissed the captain to complete his five-wicket haul, ending Pakistan's innings at 110 in 25.3 overs. Naseem Shah was also among the batters as the innings came to a close.
Madushanka's career-best figures
Madushanka delivered a career-best performance, taking five wickets for 34 runs in 8.3 overs to lead Sri Lanka's bowling attack. Arachchige claimed two wickets, while Fernando, Malinga and Wellalage took one each.
Pakistan's total was the third-lowest score recorded in ODI matches between the two sides, underlining the scale of their batting failure in the crucial tri-series encounter.
Sri Lanka cruise to victory
Chasing 111, Sri Lanka made steady progress and reached the target in just 18 overs, losing only two wickets. Kamindu Mendis anchored the innings with an unbeaten 62, while Avishka Fernando contributed 16 and Kusal Mendis added eight.
The comprehensive victory secured Sri Lanka's place in the tri-series final, joining Pakistan, who had already qualified for the title decider.
The result also gave Sri Lanka a significant boost ahead of the final, while Pakistan will look to address their batting concerns before the two sides meet again in the tournament's concluding match.
