Sri Lanka handed Pakistan their first defeat of the ODI tri-series on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, bowling the hosts out for just 110 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore before chasing the target down in 18.1 overs to win by eight wickets and book a place in the final.
What happened?
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field first, and the decision paid off immediately on a moist early-afternoon pitch. Left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka took a career-best 5 for 34 as Pakistan collapsed to 110 all out in 25.3 overs, and Sri Lanka then reached 114 for 2 with 191 balls to spare.
Key details
- Pakistan were bowled out for 110 in 25.3 overs; Sri Lanka replied with 114 for 2 in 18.1 overs.
- Madushanka’s figures of 8.3-1-34-5 were his best in ODIs and his second five-wicket haul in the format.
- Sri Lanka took three wickets inside the powerplay, removing Fakhar Zaman (5), Maaz Sadaqat (8) and Saad Baig (5) with 46 runs on the board.
- Babar Azam was Pakistan’s top scorer with 29 off 33 balls; Hasan Nawaz made 17 and Arafat Minhas 10, while Shaheen Shah Afridi’s 13-ball 15 took the total past 100.
- Sahan Arachchige took 2 for 24, and Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga and Asitha Fernando picked up one wicket each.
- Kamindu Mendis finished unbeaten on 62 off 60 balls, sharing an unbroken 52-run stand with Pavan Rathnayake (23 not out).
- Madushanka was named player of the match.
- The result sends Sri Lanka into the final against Pakistan on Saturday, October 31, at the same venue, while England, beaten in all three of their matches, are eliminated. Thursday’s Sri Lanka–England game is now a dead rubber.
What it means for people in Pakistan
For fans, the defeat is a sharp reality check after three straight wins had already secured Pakistan’s place in the final. The batting collapse, rather than the bowling, is the worry: the top order failed on a helpful pitch, and the same batters will face the same Sri Lankan attack again on Saturday. A home final still offers a quick chance to set the record straight, but only if the batting holds up this time.
Source: UrduPoint
