Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Tri-Series in PAK, 2026, Full Score Card

FOUR! Hammered away. Sri Lanka win by 8 wickets and book their place in the final, where they will meet Pakistan again. This is dragged down from around the wicket by Sadaqat, on off. Rathnayake rocks onto the back foot in a flash and makes room for himself. Spanks it through covers and it races away to the fence. Smiles and handshakes all around in the Lankan camp as they celebrate sealing their place in the final.

Loopy slower one, very full. Mendis leans across to unleash the cover drive but the ball dips on him and sneaks under the blade.

Wide. Dug in short, this is well wide on off. Mendis thinks about going after it but then lets it be. The scores are level!

At 132.3 kph, skidding through, on a short of a good length. Mendis swivels for the pull but gets an inside edge and gets hit around the box. A slight grimace from Kamindu, but he is happy to carry on without needing any medical assistance.

Low full toss, on off. Rathnayake makes room and smashes it to deep cover for another single.

Across off, on a back of a length. Mendis stands tall on top of the bounce and angles it wide of point for one. Sri Lanka need 3 more runs.

Angled in at the hips. Rathnayake nurdles it behind square leg and takes a single.

Half a shout for LBW, but the umpire is unmoved. With nothing to lose, Shaheen Afridi takes the review. Tailing back in, on a good length, on middle. Rathnayake clears the front leg and collapses his back knee for the big hit. Squeezes it out down to mid on. It has come right off the middle of the bat, with the pad well away from the ball.

Offers a bit of flight, on middle and leg. Mendis tucks it beside the strip on the leg side.

Slows it down, it is fuller as well, on middle. Kamindu brings his bat out in front to block it out.

On a good length, on off. Mendis stabs it down on the off side.

Flatter and shorter, on off. Rathnayake punches it to deep point for one.

Flighted delivery, slower through the air but the line is a little too straight, down leg. Mendis shuffles across and plays the lap down to deep fine leg. Haris Rauf covers good ground to his left and gets low to prevent the boundary, saving a run for his side.

FOUR! Nicely done! A bit of air given, on a length, on off and middle. Mendis walks across the stumps and gets low to be able to get under the ball. He brings out the scoop and plays it over the keeper's head for a boundary. The 100 is up for Sri Lanka, and they need 9 more runs.

DRINKS BREAK! Just 13 runs required, and the final formalities remain. Kamindu Mendis has been exceptional throughout this chase and has made Pakistan pay for giving him a lifeline. Pakistan will look back at their batting, where all their troubles began, and will want to put this result behind them and treat it as a day to forget.

A lot fuller at the sticks. Rathnayake goes back to a ball he was better off being forward to but manages to tap it to mid off.

On top of the off stump. Rathnayake lets the ball come on and punches it to the right of deep point for a couple of runs more.

Moving back in off the seam, on a back of a length, on middle. Rathnayake defends it from the crease.

Pushes the length up, on off. Rathnayake knocks it with a straight bat to mid off.

Straightening off a good length, on off. Rathnayake is squared up in defense but manages to keep it out.

Naseem hits the good length, just outside the off stump. Rathnayake presses forward and plays a punchy drive to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Shorter and on middle. Rathnayake hangs back and turns it square on the leg side for a single. Sri Lanka require 17 more runs.

Speared in on a good length, on middle. Rathnayake pushes it to cover.

Direct hit! Floated up, on middle. Mendis advances and checks his drive to mid-wicket. Pavan Rathnayake is backing up at the non-striker's end. Shaheen Afridi gets low and gathers the ball before scoring a direct hit at the bowling end. Rathnayake dives to get home and the ball deflects away off the sticks, allowing a single to be taken. A quick check upstairs and Pavan is found to be safe.

Shorter and on middle. Rathnayake knocks it off the back foot to long on for one.

Full and in line with the off stump. Mendis dances down the track and has a swing at it. Slices it off the outer half through point for a run.

Tossed up, on middle. Mendis uses his feet and blocks it out.

Bumper over off, Rathnayake sways away from the line of the ball.

FOUR! Nearly went the distance. Banged in short by Shaheen at pace, on off. Rathnayake backs away towards the leg side and gets his hands high to connect with the pull. Smokes it to the left of deep square leg. One bounce and over the ropes. 21 more needed for Sri Lanka to reach the final.

Pace taken off, on a back of a length, on off. Mendis waits on it before steering it behind point for a single.

DROPPED! These return catches are never easy but Shaheen Afridi will feel that he should have taken this. Low full toss, on middle. Mendis could have hit this anywhere but he ends up chipping it back to the bowler tamely. Afridi sticks out the left hand on his follow-through but the ball does not stick in his grasp. It clips his fingertips and rolls past the stumps.

Nails a yorker and it tails back in, on middle. Mendis jams it out back to the bowler.

Pushed across the right-hander, on a good length. Pavan slaps it to deep point and crosses over.

Fired in full, on off. Kamindu leans across to play it back to the bowler.

On a length, on off. Mendis pushes it to cover.

Slower and on a good length, a bit of turn, on off. Rathnayake glides it to backward point. There is a bit of hesitation but the batters eventually cross over.

A bit short, on middle. Rathnayake nudges it to mid-wicket.

Shorter and on middle, that is punched off the back foot to long on for a single.

Darted in, on a length, on middle. Rathnayake mows it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full and on middle. Mendis clips it to mid-wicket.

SIX! Taken at deep square leg, but the fielder has stepped on the boundary cushions. It has been that kind of a day for Pakistan. That brings up a FIFTY FOR MENDIS. First half-century of this tour for Kamindu, and this will give him plenty of confidence. Afridi goes into the wicket on off. Kamindu swivels for the pull and skies it a long way up towards deep square leg. The fielder settles under the skier to take the catch but is not aware of how close he is to the boundary cushions. He takes the catch and trods onto the advertising cushions with the ball in his hand.

Given LBW but successfully overturned by Mendis! Yorker attempted by Shaheen, but it comes out as a low full toss, tailing back in towards the pads. Mendis misses out on the flick and gets hit low on the front pad. A prolonged appeal and the finger is raised. That seemed to be going down leg, and Kamindu takes the review. The replays indicate that even the impact could be outside the line here. Flat line on UltraEdge, but the Ball Tracking has the ball going past the leg stump. The on-field decision is overturned.

Fuller and on off. Mendis plays a punchy drive but picks out the man at cover.

Wide! Banged in short but down leg. Kamindu lets it through to the keeper.

On a hard length, on middle. Kamindu tries to nudge it away but gets a soft leading edge to cover.

Short and wide on off. Rathnayake takes a step back in the crease and spanks it to deep cover. They cross.

Shaheen Afridi (4-0-15-1) rejoins the attack now. Sri Lanka need 38 runs to win this contest.

Angled in on a good length, on the pads. Rathnayake nurdles it behind square leg and turns the strike over.

Slower and fuller, on middle. Kamindu steps out and works it to long on for a run.

Fired in on a good length, on middle. Kamindu pushes it to mid-wicket.

Dropped short, on middle. Rathnayake punches it to long on for a single.

Shorter and pushed through, on middle. Rathnayake tucks it to mid-wicket.

Flighted delivery, on off. Rathnayake reaches out and strokes it to cover.

Done with the first Powerplay. Sri Lanka are 41 runs away from a place in the final.

Full, angling outside off, Kamindu Mendis shoulder arms at it.

FOUR! Magnificent! Back of a good length, over middle. Kamindu Mendis rocks back and pulls it to deep backward square leg for four runs.

Oh, that one stays low! Good-length delivery at pace, spraying it outside off. Kamindu Mendis tries to punch it through cover, but the ball skids through and beats the inside edge.

Pitches it up, fuller, shaping it away from the batter, Kamindu Mendis tries to push it to cover, but it zips past the outside edge.

FOUR! Class written all over it. Fuller in length, angled across off. Mendis presses onto the front foot and plays a punchy drive on the up. Threads the gap at cover and picks up a boundary.

On a good length, on off. Mendis taps it to cover.

At the sticks, on a length. Pavan lunges to defend.

Pavan Rathnayake walks in at number 4.

OUT! PLAYED ON! Oh my word, how unfortunate is that? All Kusal Mendis can do is smile and walk off the field. Good-length delivery, pitching on middle stump, sliding on with the arm. Kusal makes room and makes room to stab it down. The ball bounces off the face of the bat and, on its way up, it catches the back of the bat. It drops to the ground and trickles to hit the off stump with enough force to dislodge the bail. One of the strangest dismissals you will ever see.

FOUR! Nicely played! Minhas fires it quicker, pitching it short, on middle. Kusal Mendis opens his stance and heaves it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Short of a length, over off, Kusal Mendis pats it to cover.

Fuller, on off, Kamindu Mendis tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Short, on middle, Kamindu Mendis defends it back to the bowler.

Time for spin as Arafat Minhas comes on.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Full in length, over middle and leg. Kusal Mendis brings his wrists into play to flick it towards the left of the short mid-wicket fielder for four runs.

Full, outside off, shaping away, slower as well. Kusal Mendis tries to push it toward the off side from his front foot, but it nips away pretty late to beat the outside edge of the bat.

Full-length delivery, just outside off, Kamindu Mendis tries to drive it to cover, but gets the inside edge as the ball goes past mid-wicket. The deep square leg fielder sprints to his left and slides to cut it off for three runs.

Change of pace from Rauf, pitching it on middle and angling it away, just outside off. Kamindu Mendis tries to pull it away, but gets beaten on the inside edge.

Pitches it up, on off, Kamindu Mendis blocks it to mid off.

Fuller, on off, Kamindu Mendis defends it to mid off.

Short, over the stumps, Kusal Mendis sways away to make a leave.

In walks the skipper, Kusal Mendis, at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shaheen Afridi strikes and also gives a bit of a send-off to Avishka Fernando. Short of a length, wider of off stump, springing up off the deck. Avishka attempts the pull, but ends up hitting it from the toe-end of the bat straight towards mid-wicket. Fakhar Zaman moves smartly to his left to hold a neat reverse-cup catch. Sri Lanka are 50/1, chasing 111 runs.

Bumper, over middle, Avishka Fernando ducks under this delivery.

Slower one, a touch fuller, angling outside off. Avishka Fernando tries to push it away, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

On a nagging length, angling away from the batter. Avishka Fernando tries to pull, but chops it down towards the left of the bowler.

Fuller, around middle, Avishka Fernando chips it over mid on for a brace. The 50 is up for Sri Lanka.

FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries! Full-length delivery, outside off, Kamindu Mendis chips it beautifully over cover for four runs. 12 runs from the first over of Haris Rauf!

FOUR! More runs! Fullish, angling in, down the leg side. Kamindu Mendis clips it toward the right of deep fine leg for a boundary.

FOUR! Up and over! Just a shade behind the good length, just outside off. Kamindu Mendis stays deep inside the crease and lofts it over mid on. The timing of the shot is not proper, but it's enough to clear the sub fielder, Ghazi Ghori, at mid on. Ghazi turns around and gives chase but fails to flick it to keep the ball in play.

Full-length delivery, outside off, Kamindu Mendis drives it yet again to mid off.

Fuller once again, outside off, Kamindu Mendis drives it to mid off.

Haris Rauf comes from around the wicket to the left-hander. Pitching it fuller, outside off. Kamindu Mendis leans on it and blocks it down.

Haris Rauf comes into the attack as the first change.

Bumper now, over middle. Avishka Fernando ducks underneath.

On middle and leg, pitching it on a good length, Avishka Fernando pulls it straight to backward square leg.

Good length, nipping down the leg side. Kamindu Mendis glances it to the left of deep fine leg, where the fielder fumbles a bit, but that costs nothing to Pakistan.

On a nagging length, outside off, Avishka Fernando shuffles across and pulls it across to deep backward square leg for one.

Full, on middle, Avishka Fernando flicks it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Nicely picked up! Shaheen serves it on a good length, outside off, shaping it away from the batter. Avishka Fernando hangs deep inside the crease and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good length, wide outside off. Mendis makes a leave.

FOUR! All these runs might not have come if Saad Baig had pouched the catch in the first over. On a nagging length, angling across the batter. Kamindu Mendis slaps it hard through point for another boundary.

SIX! Oh, delightful! Fires it fuller, angling in, around middle and leg. Kamindu Mendis flicks it away with the angle and clears the deep backward square leg fence with ease. A ball boy near the advertising boards casually sticks out his left hand and plucks the ball out of the air. As cool as you like!

Pushes his length fuller, does Naseem, on middle. Kamindu Mendis nudges it to square leg.

On a nagging length, around middle, Kamindu Mendis clips it wide of deep square leg for a brace.

Just behind the good length, over off. Avishka Fernando tucks it with soft hands toward the left of the deep fine leg fielder. The batter sprints hard for the first two runs and gets the third with ease.

Hard length, outside off, Kamindu Mendis mistimes his punch to cover.

Bangs hard onto the deck, just outside off, Kamindu Mendis sways away and lets it travel to the keeper.

Back of a length, outside off, Kamindu Mendis punches it to cover, opening the face of the bat.

Angling way outside off, pitching just behind good length. Avishka Fernando pushes away from his body to cover-point for a single.

Back of a length, over off, Avishka Fernando lifts his front leg up and pulls it gently to square leg.

WIDE! On a length, angling down the leg side. Avishka fails to connect his flick and the umpire gives it wide.

FOUR! Outstanding from Avishka Fernando! Fuller in length, on the middle stump. Avishka Fernando leans on it and just gives it a mere push toward the left of the bowler for four runs.

A touch fuller, outside leg, Kamindu Mendis misses on his flick.

FOUR! Excellent timing on that shot! Much fuller, aiming at the pads of the batter, trying to trap him in front. Kamindu Mendis rolls his wrists and plays the pick-up shot, way over mid-wicket for four runs.

Just a shade behind the good length, around off, Kamindu Mendis opens the face of the bat and fends it to backward point.

Off the outside edge! On a length, outside off, Avishka Fernando tries to punch it away from his body, but gets nicked off the outside edge, toward the left of point for a single.

Fuller in length, outside off, Avishka Fernando fends it down the deck.

Slightly uppishly, but safe! Pitches it fuller, outside off. Kamindu Mendis drives it toward the left of Maaz Sadaqat in the short cover region. Maaz dives and parries it away towards mid off. They cross.

Naseem Shah will take the other new ball.

BYE! Swinging down leg but it stays within the guideline. Mendis misses out on the tickle. Saad Baig dives to his right and gets a hand on it to prevent the ball from racing away. The batters cross over for a bye.

Back of a length, around the hips of the batter. Avishka Fernando misses his flick and it brushes off the thigh pad, toward short fine leg for a leg bye.

Pitches it up, around the pads of the batter. Kamindu Mendis clips it to deep square leg for one.

DROPPED! That should have been taken, especially when you have such a low target to defend. Just a shade behind the good length, pitching it closer to the off stump and swinging it away. Kamindu Mendis tries to defend it half-heartedly and gets nicked off the outside edge. The ball flies to the left of the keeper, Saad Baig, who is late to react. He stretches his left hand out, but the ball clips his fingertips and drops to the ground.

Good-length delivery, just outside off, nipping it away. Kamindu Mendis lunges and lets it travel to the keeper.

A dot to begin with! Shaheen Afridi comes from over the wicket and bowls a touch fuller, pitching it just outside off, swinging away. Kamindu Mendis makes a leave at it.

OUT! CAUGHT! FIVE WICKETS FOR MADUSHANKA. Career-best figures of 5/34 for Dilshan as Pakistan have been bowled out for 110. Another short ball by Dilshan, following the left-hander as he moves towards the leg side. Afridi goes for the pull once again but he fails to get on top of the bounce, and he is rushed. The ball also gets big on him to take the top edge. It goes down to deep fine leg, where Dunith Wellalage takes a few steps forward and gobbles it up.

SIX! Off the top edge, but Pakistan will take it any way they come. Afridi shows his cards early as he backs away and Madushanka follows him with a short ball. Afridi swings across for the pull, but the ball climbs onto him to take the top edge, and it goes over the fine leg fence.

Gets it very full, on middle. Afridi digs it out to mid-wicket.

Had to hurry! On the shorter side, on middle. Afridi tries to nudge it away on the leg side with a closed bat face but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball drops beside him, and after a bit of hesitation, the batters set off for the single. Asitha Fernando attacks the ball, turns around and has a shy at the bowling end but misses with Shaheen getting home with a dive. Afridi scrapes off a bit of skin from his elbow due to the dive. The replays show that he would have been safe even with the direct hit.

SIX! All the way. Banged in short, over off. Afridi backs away and uses his long levers to dispatch the pull. One hand comes off the handle but Shaheen has more than enough on it to clear the deep mid-wicket fence. The 100 is up for Pakistan.

Pinged on the boot! No real conviction in the appeal from the Lankans and they do not go for the review. Asitha spears in a yorker and gets the ball to tail back in. Afridi clears the front leg and has a swipe across the line. He is beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the left boot. The ball goes wide of deep fine leg but Afridi wants to keep the strike.

From the around the wicket now with a man at a short backward square leg. Fernando dishes out a short ball, around the left shoulder. Shah pulls it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a single.

Wide. Down leg, on a hard length. Shah leans inside the line and lets it go.

Nicely bowled! A sharp short ball, on off. Shah rises with the bounce and tries to fend it down but is beaten past the outside edge.

Into the wicket, on off. Shaheen drags the pull behind square leg and crosses over.

Asitha Fernando (5-0-24-1) returns back into the attack.

Fuller in length, on off. Shaheen pushes away from his body but gets an inside edge and the ball rolls behind square leg for a run.

Dug in short, over off. Afridi drops his wrists to let the ball pass.

Angled in, on a nagging length, on middle and leg. Shah looks to defend it with a straight bat but gets an inside edge and the ball goes behind square leg for a single.

Banged in short, over off. Shah sways away from the line of the ball.

On a hard length, on off. Shah hops back to block it out.

Naseem Shah is the last batter at the crease.

OUT! TAKEN! Sri Lanka cannot put a foot wrong today. From around the wicket, in the channel, on a back of a length. Rauf stays beside the line and tries to use the pace of the ball by running it down to deep third with an open bat face. Ends up gliding it towards Kamindu Mendis, who is stationed at a wide slip. The ball flies to Mendis quickly, but he is equal to the task. He puts in a dive to his right and holds onto a sharp catch. One of the heroes of the miraculous win against England the other night, Rauf fails to make any impact today. Dilshan has his 4th wicket, and Pakistan are now 92/9.

Turning back in, on the shorter side. Afridi pushes it to cover.

Pushed through at the sticks. Afridi brings his bat out in front and keeps it out on the leg side.

Nearly sneaked through. On a good length, around the off stump. Rauf has a fiddle at the ball. Ekes out an inside edge and it goes behind square leg for a single.

Pakistan lose their last recognised batter, and the walls are closing in on them rather quickly. The man who hit the winning runs in the last game is in. Here's Haris Rauf.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Why Hasan Nawaz, why? That will be the cry from Pakistan fans, as this shot was absolutely not needed at this stage. Dunith Wellalage tosses it up, around off. Hasan Nawaz gets forward and tries to launch it towards long off, despite knowing that there is a fielder in that region. Spoons it towards Sahan Arachchige, who charges across to his left and slides to catch it safely.

Fullish, on off, Hasan Nawaz defends it to cover.

Floated up, on off. Nawaz keeps it out on the off side.

Another bumper, over middle and leg. Shaheen Afridi duck again to leave it to the keeper.

Sharp bouncer, over middle and off. Shaheen Afridi ducks underneath.

Down to the fast bowlers now. The skipper, Shaheen Afridi, is the first of those. A slip in place for the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Dilshan Madushanka has the last laugh, and he screams out loud as he gets his third wicket of the day. He hits the deck hard yet again, keeping the line just outside off. Arafat Minhas hops and tries to roll his wrists over the ball but fails to do so. The ball takes the top edge and lobs beside the strip on the off side. The keeper, Kusal Mendis, calls for the catch, runs forward and pouches it neatly.

FOUR! That's a good strike from Minhas! Bangs in hard, on a good length, just outside off. Arafat Minhas hops and pulls it down toward the right of the deep square leg fielder for four runs.

Back of a length, over off, Arafat Minhas heaves it down, straight to the short mid-wicket fielder.

Good running! Pitches it fuller, does Madushanka, on middle. Hasan Nawaz pushes it to the right of mid off and gets a single.

Pitches it up, on middle, Arafat Minhas blocks it to the left of the bowler.

Short, outside off, Arafat Minhas gets behind the line and dabs it to cover.

Flighted and fuller, just outside off, Hasan Nawaz drives it gently through cover for one.

Tossed up, fuller, around leg, Arafat Minhas clips it to short fine leg and gets across for a single.

Pitches it up, on off, Arafat Minhas blocks it to the right of the bowler.

Full in length, around middle, Hasan Nawaz slams it to deep cover for a single.

Dunith Wellalage has been handed the ball.

At the sticks, on a good length. Hasan looks to play the line of the ball but it nips back to catch the inside edge and it dribbles behind square leg for one.

Drifting onto the pads, on a length. Nawaz clips it to mid-wicket.

From around the wicket for the right-hander, on a back of a length, on off. Hasan guides it off the back foot to backward point.

Dug in short, angled in towards the right shoulder. Minhas hops and fends it square on the leg side for a single.

Spears in a yorker, tailing back in, on middle and leg. Arafat digs it out to mid-wicket.

Nails the yorker, on off. Hasan looks to keep it out but it squirts off the outer half wide of point for a single.

Dilshan Madushanka (5-1-18-2) is back into the attack.

A bit too short, on off. Hasan spanks it to deep cover for a single.

Shorter and on off. Hasan plays the late dab to short third.

SIX! Good use of the feet. Finally, something to cheer for the Lahore crowd. Flighted up, on off. Nawaz dances down the track, reaches the pitch of the ball and swings through the line. Launches it straight towards the sight screen for half a dozen.

Pushed through, around the off stump, on a good length. Hasan presses forward and pats it down on the off side.

Very full, on middle and leg. Arafat drives it to long on and rotates the strike.

Sliding on with the arm, on a good length, on middle. Minhas lunges to block it out.

Tailing back in, on the off stump. Hasan squeezes it out to point.

Good effort in the field. Pace taken off by Malinga, fuller in length, outside off. Nawaz glides it behind point, where the backward point fielder dives to his left and prevents the single.

A sharp, short ball at the batter. A half-duck by Nawaz as he takes his eyes off the ball.

Bashes the hard length, on off. Minhas hops and drops it with soft hands in front of cover for a quick single.

Uppish but safe. Malinga lands it on a length, on off. Nawaz pushes out in front of his body and chips it uppishly between cover and mid off. Avishka Fernando dives to his left at mid off but can't make a clean stop. They cross.

Pitched up, outside off. Minhas extends his hands and knocks it to deep cover for a single.

Slower and the length is pulled back a bit, on off. Minhas pushes it to long on for one more.

Darted in from around the wicket, on a length, on middle. Arafat nudges it to mid-wicket.

Flat and short, on off. Hasan rocks back and punches it to long on for one more run.

Flighted delivery, full and on middle. Hasan strokes it to mid-wicket.

This keeps straight, on the shorter side, on off. Nawaz punches it back to the right of the bowler.

Not all that short, outside off. Nawaz uses the depth of the crease to punch it to the right of deep point for a couple of runs.

A bit fuller, around the off stump. Minhas hangs back and angles it to backward point with an open bat face.

On a hard length, outside off. Hasan presses up on his toes and runs it down to deep third for a single.

Outside off, on a good length. Nawaz lets it pass.

Honing in on the off stump, on a nagging length. Hasan taps it to cover.

In and around the off stump, on a good length. Nawaz leans across and guides it wide of backward point, where the fielder flings himself to his right and makes the stop.

Hits the good length, on off. Nawaz pats it to cover.

Full and around the off stump, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

A bit of air given, on off. Minhas lunges and pushes it to the right of the bowler.

Wicket number 6 for Sri Lanka. Arafat Minhas is the new batter at the crease.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Well, well, Shadab Khan signals for a review, only to realise that both reviews have been burnt. Pakistan slip further into trouble. Really full, on middle. Khan leans inside the line and gets low to sweep it behind square leg. The ball pops up behind him. Kusal Mendis moves to his left with the angle of the ball but then halts and looks up to see where the ball has gone before pouching it safely. The replays indicate that the ball brushed the wristband of the glove before popping up off the forearm, and the UltraEdge confirms the same. So even if Pakistan had a review left, it would not have saved Shadab.

Shorter and on the off stump. Khan stabs it down from the crease.

Drops it short, outside off. Shadab flashes but does not connect.

Bowled very full, on off. Shadab leans inside the line and hangs low to play the lap wide of deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

Bangs it in short, around the left shoulder. Hasan ducks under it to let the ball pass.

The length is pulled back, on off. Nawaz stabs it down from the crease.

Keeps it full, on off. Hasan leans on and drives it to mid off.

Spears it in very full, tailing back in, on off. Nawaz jams it out.

Slight halt! The physio comes out to check on Shadab Khan as he takes a blow to his helmet. Khan is looking fine, but he is probably changing his helmet. All good to continue.

Oh, hello! Malinga spots Shadab charging down the track and he responds with a bumper at 145.5 kph. Khan looks to duck but can't get low enough in time. The ball thuds into the helmet and goes behind square leg for a leg bye.

Babar Azam is done for the day, and with that, the umpires call for a Drinks Break! It has been one-way traffic, with Sri Lanka right on the money with their lines and lengths. Babar Azam, as he often does, started promisingly, but once again, his stay has been cut short. Shadab Khan walks in next. The hosts will be hoping for another rescue act from Shadab, but he cannot do it alone and will need support from the others.

OUT! LBW! Trapped in front. This looks pretty close, but Babar Azam takes the review reluctantly. Nip-backer by Malinga, on a good length, on off and middle. Babar's feet go nowhere as he tries to clip it away on the leg side with a closed bat face. He plays all around it and is beaten on the inside edge. The ball pings him on the knee roll on the front pad. Flat line on UltraEdge, and the Ball Tracking has the ball thudding into the middle stump. The hosts lose Babar as well as the review. They now have no reviews left. Sri Lanka go bang, bang and Pakistan have now lost half their side for 61.

Another one bites the dust. Hasan Nawaz walks in next.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Sahan Arachchige has his reward for disciplined bowling. Flatter and outside off. Agha stays back to a full ball and tries to run it down to deep third with an open bat face. Ends up getting a feather on it, and the keeper, Kusal Mendis, moves his gloves with the ball to his right and snaffles it with ease. Pakistan are now 4 down for 61.

Fires it in very full. Agha jams it out back to the bowler.

A bit too full, on off. Azam plays a wristy drive to long on and crosses over.

Fuller in length, outside off. Salman steps across and drives it to long on for one more.

Full and drifting away a bit, outside off. Agha shuffles across and comes down the track before playing it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, outside off. Babar lunges across and eases it to long on for one.

Fuller and on off. Azam knocks it to the left of mid on and retains the strike with a single.

On the shorter side, on off. Azam rides the bounce and plays the late dab but Sri Lanka have a gully in place for this shot and he comes into play, preventing the single.

Speared in at the hips. Salman helps it down to deep fine leg and takes a single.

Goes past the bat! At 141.1 kph, on a short of a good length. Agha pokes at the ball and is lucky not to nick it behind.

In and around the off stump, on a back of a length. Babar glides it behind point and crosses over.

Hits the good length, outside off. Agha runs it down to deep third and gets to the other end.

Double change? Yes, Eshan Malinga joins the attack.

Very full, on off. Babar eases it to mid off.

Full and around off. Salam uses his feet and knocks it to long on for a run.

Not in control but safe. Sahan offers flight, full and wide on off. Babar reaches out and flashes at the ball. Slices it uppishly but well away from the backward point fielder to his right. They cross.

Looped up, on off. Salman steps out and whips it to long on for a single.

Floated up, on off. Agha plays for the turn again but there isn't any. It is squirted off the outer half to point.

FOUR! Edged away. Flighted up, on off. Agha lunges across and tries to work it with the spin but the ball keeps straight to take the outside edge. There is no one at slip and it races away down to the deep third fence. The 50 is up for Pakistan.

The first Powerplay belonged to Sri Lanka without a doubt. Pakistan have plenty of work to do through the middle. The Lankans can now have 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle until the 40th over. First look at spin as Sahan Arachchige comes on.

Back of a length, outside off, Babar Azam fends it back to the bowler. At the end of 10 overs, Pakistan are 47/3.

Good-length delivery, outside leg, Salman Agha fails to connect his flick and gets pinged on the front pad, before it bounces off toward backward square leg for a leg bye.

On a length, around off, Salman Agha defends it to cover.

Much fuller, outside leg, Salman Agha looks to flick but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears on the pad.

The start gets even better for Sri Lanka. Salman Agha walks out to the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! Wicket number 2 for Dilshan Madushanka and Pakistan lose their third wicket. Fuller delivery in the channel outside off. Baig reaches away from his body, attempting to punch on the up. He is early into the shot and chips it straight to short cover, where Janith Liyanage stays low to grab the ball neatly.

Beaten on the inside edge! Pitches it fuller, outside off, not much movement on this delivery. Saad Baig tries to punch it with hard hands away from his body, but it zips past the inside edge by a thin margin.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Back of a length, tailing it down the leg side. Babar Azam just glances it away through fine leg for back-to-back boundaries.

FOUR! It's just getting better and better for Azam. On the fuller side, just outside off. Babar Azam prods forward and drives it gloriously through the cover region for four runs.

On a nagging length, outside off. Babar Azam dead-bats it down the deck.

Good length, just outside off, Babar Azam blocks it to the off side.

Just a shade behind the good length, outside off. Saad Baig hangs back and punches it into the gap at cover and collects three runs as two fielders give chase to haul it in.

Saad Baig has copped a nasty blow, and the physio is out to have a look. After a bit of magic spray, Baig is ready to resume.

Saad Baig takes a blow on his gloves! On a good length, around leg and middle. Saad Baig tries to flick it to square leg, but the ball takes off and hits him flush on the left glove.

On a length, around off, Babar Azam dabs it to mid on.

FOUR! Short and punished! Bangs it hard onto the deck, over middle and leg. Babar Azam picks up the length pretty early and pulls it hard toward deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Fullish, around off, Babar Azam drives it crisply but finds the short cover fielder.

Back of a length, angling in, around middle. Babar Azam hops and tucks it to the left of deep fine leg for a brace.

FOUR LEG BYES! Free runs for Pakistan! Back of a length, around the hips of the batter. Babar Azam fails to connect his flick, and it brushes off the batter's thigh pad to fly past the left of the keeper for four runs.

Beaten! Just a shade behind the good length, outside off, nipping away. Babar Azam tries to punch it away from his body, but it zips past the outside edge.

Excellent shot from the batter, but it is hit straight to the fielder. Pitches it fuller, just outside off. Saad Baig plants his front foot, leans on it and drives it toward mid off.

Good length, on middle. Saad Baig rocks back and blocks it down.

On a length, outside off, Saad Baig punches it to the right of mid off and gets a couple of runs.

Much fuller, on middle, Saad Baig blocks it back to the bowler.

Both openers sent packing inside the first 7 overs. Saad Baig makes his way out to bat.

OUT! LBW! Asitha Fernando strikes now. Asitha fires it fuller, just a shade behind the yorker length, swinging in. Maaz Sadaqat tries to flick it away, but his head falls over to the off side and his bat stays behind the front pad as the ball pings him low on the front pad. The appeal goes round, but this time, full of confidence, and up goes the finger of the umpire. Maaz has a word with his partner and opts for a review. The UltraEdge confirms that the ball has hit the pad first, and the Ball Tracking comes up as three reds, with the ball crashing into the middle stump. Sadaqat takes a review with him.

Swing and a miss! Asitha Fernando pitches it up, moving back in the air, around the off stump. Maaz Sadaqat tries to go for a wild slog but misses on the inside edge.

On a length, just outside off, Babar Azam taps it to the left of the bowler.

A well-directed bouncer! Madushanka bends his back and offers the bumper, angling in, over middle and leg. Babar Azam sways away and lets it travel to the keeper.

Back of a length, just outside off, Babar Azam punches it to cover from his back foot.

No run, just a mere push. But no space for a run.

Pitches it a touch fuller, around off. Babar Azam pushes out in front, but gets nicked off the outside edge, toward the left of the point fielder for a brace.

On a length, outside off, nipping in. Maaz Sadaqat looks to defend it down, but the ball catches the inside edge before it rolls to the right of deep fine leg for a single.

FOUR! A boundary to end the over! Bangs hard onto the deck, just outside off. Babar Azam pulls it from the inner part of the bat, and it races away through backward square leg for four runs.

Sharp fielding from Avishka Fernando! Back of a length, over off and middle. Babar Azam pulls it down and hard, but Avishka, in the short mid-wicket region, dives to his left and makes a sharp stop.

Just behind the fuller length, keeping the line into the corridor of uncertainty. Babar Azam guides it to backward point, opening the face of the bat.

A touch fuller, angling in, around middle and leg. Babar Azam nudges it to mid-wicket.

Just a shade behind the good length, pitching outside off, swinging away. Babar Azam lunges forward and shoulders arms at it.

On a length, shaping it outside off. Maaz Sadaqat slaps it through backward point for a single.

Oh, a nasty bouncer now, just outside off. Babar Azam arches backwards and makes a leave.

FOUR! That is Babar Azam for you! Madushanka pitches it on a good length, on off, but nips it away sharply. Babar Azam stays on his back foot, watches the movement of the ball and punches it crisply through the cover region for four runs.

Pitches it up, outside off, Babar Azam lunges and knocks it to mid off.

Full-length delivery, outside off, Babar Azam shuffles and defends it back to the bowler.

The lean run continues for Fakhar Zaman. Babar Azam is in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! An absolute snorter by Dilshan Madushanka and Sri Lanka have their first breakthrough. Madushanka hits the deck hard and gets extra bounce, just outside off. Fakhar Zaman is standing outside the crease, and he presents the full face of the bat to defend it down, but the ball rears up on him to catch the shoulder of the bat. It balloons on the off side, where Pavan Rathnayake runs in from backward point and takes the catch.

Good length, on middle, angling in. Fakhar Zaman works it to mid-wicket.

Much fuller, on middle. Maaz Sadaqat charges down the track but yorks himself out, ending up digging it back to the bowler.

Hits the deck hard, over middle. Fakhar Zaman rocks back and tucks it to square leg for a single.

Much fuller, on leg, Fakhar Zaman clips it to short mid-wicket.

Full, outside off, Maaz Sadaqat steers it to deep third for one.

Huge appeal for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head. A full toss, around the pads of the batter, swinging down the leg side. Maaz Sadaqat misses his flick and wears it on the front pad. The replay shows that the impact on the pad is outside leg.

On a length, around off, Maaz Sadaqat defends it back to the bowler.

Pitches it up, outside off, nipping away. Fakhar Zaman shuffles across and dabs it down the deck.

Fuller, outside off, Fakhar Zaman punches it to mid off.

Back of a length, outside off, Fakhar Zaman leaves it away.

Good effort! Pitching it fuller, outside off stump, with late outward movement. Sadaqat reaches out to drive on the up, mistiming it slightly to the left of cover. The fielder dives to his left and manages to get a hand to it. The batters take a single.

FOUR! This time, Sadaqat connects it pretty well! This is a touch fuller, wide outside off. Maaz Sadaqat drills into the gap between cover and point for four runs.

Swing and a miss! On a length, outside off, swinging away. Maaz Sadaqat strides forward and tries to drill it away, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Not much movement through the air or off the seam in the first over. The left-arm quick, Dilshan Madushanka, will steam in from the other end. He has two slips in place.

Drags his length back, around off, Fakhar Zaman gets behind the line and dabs it down. Five dots and a boundary to start things off.

FOUR! Oh, that has been gloriously driven by Zaman! Full-length delivery, pitching it just outside off, nipping it away. Fakhar Zaman plants his front foot toward the delivery and drives it beautifully toward the right of the mid off fielder for four runs.

Pushes it fuller, yet again, does Fernando, around the pads of the batter. Fakhar Zaman clips it to mid-wicket.

Fuller in length, around off, Fakhar Zaman lunges forward and blocks it away to cover.

Pitches it fuller, on off, Fakhar Zaman defends it to cover.

Asitha Fernando scoots from over the wicket and pushes it away from the left-hander. Fakhar Zaman tries to defend it down, but it zips past the outside edge.

We are all set to get going on another warm afternoon in Lahore. It is a sparse crowd at the moment, but expect the stands to fill up later in the evening. A change up top for Pakistan, with Maaz Sadaqat opening alongside Fakhar Zaman. Asitha Fernando will start with the new ball for Sri Lanka. Fakhar will face the first ball. A slip in place. Off we go...

Sri Lanka (Unchanged XI) - Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (C/WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat (In for Saim Ayub), Babar Azam, Saad Baig (WK), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi (C), Naseem Shah (In for Razaullah), Haris Rauf.

TOSS - It is time for the coin to go up in Lahore. Kusal Mendis calls it correctly, and Sri Lanka elect to BOWL first.

Lankans riding high - History also adds spice to this contest. The last time these teams met at the Gaddafi Stadium was back in 2009, when Sri Lanka won by a massive margin of 234 runs. Sri Lanka will no doubt walk out with plenty of confidence, having not only produced their highest successful run chase against England, but also it was the second-highest chase in the ODI history. So, which way are you leaning? Are you backing Pakistan’s momentum, or rooting for Sri Lanka’s revenge? Stay tuned for the toss and team news.

Rawalpindi rematch - These two sides have already met in this series, in the opener at Rawalpindi. If Pakistan’s last outing is any guide, the Lahore surface could offer plenty to the bowlers. That match against England was a comparatively low-scoring affair, with the track helping the bowlers and Shaheen Afridi picking up a four-wicket haul.

Greetings everyone - Hello, and a very warm welcome to all the cricket enthusiasts joining us for the build-up to today’s match. Pakistan and Sri Lanka meet in the fifth match of the tournament at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan have been flawless so far, winning all three of their games, and their one-wicket thriller against England on Sunday sealed their place in the final. That leaves one finalist spot still up for grabs, and if Sri Lanka win today, they will join the hosts in the title decider.

... MATCH DAY ...

Heading in with different intentions - Pakistan are all set to take on Sri Lanka in the 5th Match of the ODI tri-series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. With the hosts already in the final, and Sri Lanka needing just one win out of their two remaining matches to join them in the final, this could end up being dress rehearsal for the final. Pakistan will look to continue this rich vein of form they are in and keep their spotless record intact in this series. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will look to use that record-breaking chase against England as inspiration in a bid to beat the in-form and seal a place in the final as well. Pakistan in red-hot form - Not often do we use the term 'consistent' while talking about Pakistan in the cricketing world, but off late, in the ODI format, they are showing signs of consistency. Sure, there are still top order woes, but their middle order has come good on quite a few occasions now and the bowling line-up is shaping up nicely. In their last game against England, Shaheen Afridi led from the front, picking up 4 wickets as Arafat Minhas continued to impress with the ball as well. However, the real star of the show was Shadab Khan, who hit a magical ton batting at number 8 and took Pakistan from the jaws of defeat, to an unlikely win. Sri Lanka looking to cause an upset - Just days after chasing down an unfathomable score of 430 runs, the second highest ever in ODIs, the Lankans find themselves a win away from a final spot. The last time they played Pakistan, they suffered a huge defeat, but certainly the confidence will be high right now, and they will look to push the hosts all the way. Plenty of positive signs for Sri Lanka in terms of their batting with Avishka Fernando making a strong comeback to the side and Pavan Rathnayake turning into a big run-getter for them. Dasun Shanaka also continues to provide late muscle with the bat, but they still have top-order concerns. Also the bowling needs to improve as well if they are to have a chance of beating the hosts. Pitch and conditions - Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the contest as the tournament moves into its second phase. The surface could provide opportunities for stroke-making, making partnerships and the management of wickets important factors in determining the first-innings total. Batters who settle early may be able to score freely, but Pakistan's and Sri Lanka's bowlers will look to exploit any assistance available with the new ball. Spinners could become influential during the middle overs, particularly if they vary their pace and target the stumps. Form (Last 5 completed ODIs, recent first) - PAK - WWWWL | SL - WLLWL. Prediction time - Pakistan vs Sri Lanka promises to be an intriguing contest in the ODI Tri-Series. Pakistan will look to capitalise on home conditions and the depth of their batting and pace attack, while Sri Lanka will aim to respond with disciplined bowling and contributions throughout their batting order. Pakistan may have an advantage on home soil, but the result will depend on execution rather than reputation. The team that handles the Powerplay, builds the strongest middle-overs partnerships and finishes its innings effectively should put itself in a strong position. Who are you backing for the win?