Sri Lanka Clinches ODI Tri‑Series Final Spot as Pakistan Crash to an Eight‑Wicket Defeat

England have missed out on qualifying for the ODI tri‑series final after Sri Lanka’s bowlers dominated Pakistan in Lahore, securing an eight‑wicket victory.

After three defeats, Brendon McCullum’s side needed Pakistan to win on Tuesday and Sri Lanka to lose their final round‑robin match on Thursday to stay alive. That scenario did not unfold.

Sri Lanka, who won the toss and elected to bowl, reduced Pakistan to 110 runs in 25.3 overs—Pakistan’s second‑lowest ODI total at home.

Sri Lanka’s captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and opted to field. Dilshan Madushanka starred, taking career‑best ODI figures of 5 for 34.

Kamindu Mendis then anchored the chase with an unbeaten 62 off 60 balls, guiding Sri Lanka to a comfortable win inside 18.1 overs.

Pakistan’s top order again struggled, with four of their five specialist batters making single‑digit scores.

“Unfortunately, for the last three or four games we are collapsing at the top order,” captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said. “We have three days now and we can practice. We will come back in the final and bat stronger. We need to forget this game quickly and take the positives from the previous games.”

Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for five by Madushanka, Maaz Sadaqat lbw for eight by Asitha Fernando.

Madushanka also removed Saad Baig (5) caught at short cover.

Salman Agha (9), Babar Azam (29) and Shadab Khan (2) fell in quick succession, leaving Pakistan 64 for 6.

Further wickets fell: Arafat Minhas edged to Dhanush Liyanage, then Hasan Nawaz (17), Harris Rauf (1) and Afridi (15) were all dismissed by Madushanka.

Kamindu Mendis hit eight fours and two sixes in his knock.

Avishka Fernando was dismissed for 16, Kusal Mendis for eight, and Pavan Rathnayake remained unbeaten on 23.

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