Pakistan were bowled out for 110 in Lahore on Tuesday, and Sri Lanka needed less than 19 overs to finish the job. It was that kind of evening at the Gaddafi Stadium: one spell of fast bowling changed the whole shape of the tri-series, and by the end of it England were out.
Dilshan Madushanka did the damage. The left-arm seamer took a career-best 5 for 34 as Pakistan, put in to bat after Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss, folded in just 25.3 overs. Sri Lanka then chased 114 for 2 in 18.1 overs to win by eight wickets, with Kamindu Mendis unbeaten on 62. For Pakistan, already through to the final, it was a bruising dress rehearsal. For Sri Lanka, it was the win they needed to stay alive in the race for the final.
Madushanka sets the tone early
Madushanka struck in the fourth over, removing opener Fakhar Zaman for five, and Pakistan never really recovered. Babar Azam and Saad Baig added 23 for the third wicket, but Madushanka removed Baig for five, Sahan Arachchige dismissed Salman Agha for nine, and Babar fell leg-before to Eshan Malinga soon after. Babar top-scored with 29 off 33 balls, Hasan Nawaz made 17, but nobody else got going.
Madushanka came back to remove Shaheen Shah Afridi for 15 and Haris Rauf for one to complete his haul. Arachchige finished with 2 for 24, and Pakistan were all out for 110. It was Pakistan’s second-lowest total in a home one-day international, after the 75 they managed against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 2009.
A chase that never looked in doubt
Sri Lanka’s reply was calm and quick. Kamindu Mendis made 62 not out off 60 balls, with eight fours and two sixes, and Paven Rathnayake finished unbeaten on 23. Avishka Fernando made 16 and Kusal Mendis made eight, but the chase never wobbled. Sri Lanka reached the target with 191 balls still unused, under lights that were barely needed.
That matters for what comes next. Pakistan had already qualified after beating England twice, including a one-wicket win on Sunday after chasing 242. Sri Lanka now play England on Thursday before meeting Pakistan again in the final. England needed a Pakistan win in Lahore to keep their own hopes alive. Instead, they are out, and Sri Lanka go into Thursday with momentum.
Why this result stings for Pakistan
The scorecard will worry Pakistan more than the defeat itself. Four of the top five batters fell for single figures, and the bowlers had almost nothing to defend.
There is context that softens the blow, and context that sharpens it. Pakistan had already done the hard work in the league stage, so qualification was never at stake in Lahore. But a side that wants to win a final does not want to walk into it off a 110 all out at home. The gap before the final suddenly looks like a repair job, not a rest.
For Sri Lanka, this feels like a revival rather than a one-off. Days earlier they had chased down 430 against England in Rawalpindi, the second-highest target ever chased in one-day cricket. Now they have skittled the hosts for 110 and knocked England out in the same week. The bowling, led by Madushanka, has given them something to build a final around.
What to watch next
- Sri Lanka vs England, Thursday: Sri Lanka tune up for the final against an England side with nothing left to play for in the tournament. Watch whether Madushanka gets the new ball again.
- Pakistan’s top order: the final will ask the same questions Lahore asked on Tuesday. Pakistan need a steadier start, and Babar needs support around him.
- Kamindu Mendis at No. 3: his unbeaten 62 was measured rather than flashy. Sri Lanka will want the same calm at the top in the final.
- The final, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: a rematch, days after an eight-wicket rout. Pakistan will want revenge. Sri Lanka will want to prove Tuesday was no fluke.
FAQs
What were Dilshan Madushanka’s figures against Pakistan?
Madushanka took 5 for 34 in 8.3 overs, his career-best figures in one-day internationals. His previous best was 5 for 80 against India in Mumbai at the 2023 World Cup.
What did Pakistan score against Sri Lanka in Lahore?
Pakistan were bowled out for 110 in 25.3 overs after being put in to bat. Babar Azam top-scored with 29. It was Pakistan’s second-lowest home ODI total.
How did Sri Lanka win the match?
Sri Lanka chased 114 for 2 in 18.1 overs to win by eight wickets. Kamindu Mendis finished unbeaten on 62 off 60 balls.
Are England out of the tri-series?
Yes. England needed Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka in Lahore to stay in contention for the final. Sri Lanka’s win ended England’s hopes, and Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in the final.
When do Sri Lanka play next?
Sri Lanka play England on Thursday in their final league game, before meeting Pakistan again in the tri-series final.
One spell, 110 runs, and a final race turned on its head. Madushanka gave Sri Lanka the night in Lahore. Now he has given them a final to aim at, and Pakistan three days to find answers before they meet again.
