Pakistan Ready for Sri Lanka in Lahore Tri-Series Final Showdown

Pakistan – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Pakistan ready for Sri Lanka as both teams prepare for the ODI tri-series final at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, 31 October. Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the hosts, while Kusal Mendis captains the visitors.

The toss will take place at 12:30pm PKT. The first ball is set for 1:00pm.

This is the fourth ODI tri-series on Pakistan soil. Earlier editions were played in 1994, 2004 and 2025.

Pakistan were the first team to reach the final. They beat England twice and Sri Lanka once. Now they want their first home tri-series title.

Salman Ali Agha has led the batting for the hosts. He has scored 158 runs in four games. His runs include a century against Sri Lanka in the opening match at Rawalpindi.

Young Arafat Minhas has been the star with the ball. He has taken nine wickets in four matches. His best came with a six-wicket haul in Pakistan’s 87-run win over England.

Shaheen Afridi has eight wickets from four games. He shares second place on the wicket-taking list with Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka.

Speaking to PCB Digital, Shaheen said the team has played well but must improve. He wants more runs at the top and stronger partnerships. He also hopes fans fill the stands and enjoy a great contest.

Kusal Mendis called the final a big game for his side. He said Sri Lanka are well prepared and played well against Pakistan last time. He added that the team will stick to its basic plans.

He also thanked Pakistan fans for their warm support of the Sri Lankan players.

Squads

Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Sahibzada Farhan and Shadab Khan

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (c), Sahan Arachchige, Dushmantha Chameera, Sachindu Colombage, Avishka Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Janith Liyanage, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage