The Guardian reported that the tri‑series finale delivered a night‑time spectacle under the lights of a packed Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where Pakistan needed to overcome a challenging target to claim the trophy.
Fakhar Zaman, who had previously starred in Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy triumph, paced the chase with an unbeaten 127‑run innings from 99 deliveries, laying the foundation for a tense finish.
After his dismissal, the younger duo of Arafat Minhas, aged 21, and Hasan Nawaz, 24, combined for a crucial 94‑run partnership, stabilising the run‑rate and keeping Pakistan in contention.
Kamindu Mendis top‑scored for Sri Lanka with 131 runs, but his effort could not prevent the loss as the island side fell short.
The pressure intensified when Minhas and Faheem Ashraf were both dismissed within a few balls, leaving two runs required. Shaheen Afridi, however, responded with a powerful six over the outfield to seal the victory, securing Pakistan’s win by three wickets and celebrating a memorable night for the hosts.
Source: The Guardian.
