Fakhar Zaman
Saim Ayub
Babar Azam
Saad Baig
Salman Ali Agha
Hasan Nawaz
Asitha Fernando
Dilshan Madushanka
Dasun Shanaka
Eshan Malinga
Sachindu Colombage
Kamindu Mendis
Avishka Fernando
Kusal Mendis
Pavan Rathnayake
Sahan Arachchige
Janith Liyanage
Shaheen Afridi
Naseem Shah
Haris Rauf
Faheem Ashraf
Arafat Minhas
Rawalpindi erupted when Babar Azam struck a boundary off the 45th ball of his innings, pushing Pakistan to a commanding total of 305‑10 in the ODI Tri Series in Pakistan 2026. The partnership between Babar and the lower order kept the run‑rate ticking, and when the final wicket fell at 49.5 overs, the stadium knew a win was imminent. Sri Lanka’s chase faltered early, and despite a fighting 44 from Kamindu Mendis, they fell short at 268‑10, handing Pakistan a 37‑run triumph.
Match Summary
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka elected to bowl, hoping the clear skies and mild 22.7 °C conditions would favour their seam attack. Pakistan’s top order got off to a steady start, with Babar Azam anchoring the innings at 45 off 57 balls, striking six fours and a six. The middle order contributed crucial runs, and the final overs saw a flurry of boundaries that took the Pakistan ODI score to 305‑10 in 49.5 overs.
In response, Sri Lanka’s openers struggled against the disciplined spell of Asitha Fernando, who claimed 3 for 59 in his full quota of ten overs. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah added pressure, taking three and two wickets respectively. Kamindu Mendis tried to steady the ship with a brisk 44 off 50 balls, but wickets fell at regular intervals. Haris Rauf’s 2 for 48 from 9.1 overs capped the Sri Lanka cricket today effort, and the hosts clinched the match with 2.1 overs to spare.
Key Performances
Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 45 runs off 57 balls, anchoring the innings with a blend of composure and aggression. His strike rate of 78.95 set the platform for a 305‑10 total, the highest Pakistan ODI score in the series so far.
Asitha Fernando (Pakistan) – 3/59 in 10 overs, breaking crucial partnerships and keeping Sri Lanka’s run‑rate in check during the middle overs.
Dilshan Madushanka (Pakistan) – 2/67 in 10 overs, providing a steady line and length that restricted the opposition’s scoring options.
Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 44 runs off 50 balls, the lone bright spot in Sri Lanka’s chase, showing intent with four fours and a six.
Shaheen Afridi (Sri Lanka) – 3/55 in 10 overs, a valiant effort that earned him the Player of the Match award despite the loss.
Naseem Shah (Sri Lanka) – 2/43 in 10 overs, delivering economy and crucial breakthroughs.
Turning Points
The first major turning point came in the 15th over when Asitha Fernando dismissed Pakistan’s number three with a sharp in‑court catch, reducing the hosts to 85‑3. Babar’s steady recovery steadied the ship, but the early wickets forced Pakistan to accelerate later, which they did with aplomb.
For Sri Lanka, the decisive moment arrived in the 30th over of their chase when Shaheen Afridi removed two set batsmen in quick succession, dropping the score from 180‑4 to 185‑6. The loss of momentum, combined with Haris Rauf’s disciplined spell, meant Sri Lanka could never recover the required run‑rate.
Finally, the penultimate over saw Pakistan add 12 runs off the last two balls, sealing a 37‑run margin that left Sri Lanka cricket today fans stunned.
Series Implications
With this win, Pakistan moves to the top of the ODI Tri Series in Pakistan 2026 standings, sitting comfortably ahead of Sri Lanka and the third team. The victory not only boosts Pakistan’s confidence ahead of the upcoming fixtures but also reaffirms Babar Azam’s role as a dependable run‑maker in high‑pressure games.
Sri Lanka, despite the loss, can take heart from Shaheen Afridi’s three‑wicket haul and the resilience shown by Kamindu Mendis. Their bowlers will look to fine‑tune death‑over strategies as they aim to bounce back in the next match.
Overall, the Rawalpindi encounter delivered an exciting spectacle for fans following the ODI Tri Series in Pakistan 2026 live score updates, and it added another chapter to the historic head‑to‑head where Pakistan now leads 9‑1 against Sri Lanka.