Lahore, 27 October, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Sri Lanka qualified for the final of the One-Day International (ODI) tri-series after defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in the fifth match at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday. Sri Lanka bowled out the hosts for just 110 runs before comfortably chasing the target of 111 in 18 overs, losing only two wickets. Kamindu Mendis led the successful chase with an unbeaten 62, while Avishka Fernando contributed 16 runs. Pakistan, who had already secured their place in the final, suffered a major batting collapse after Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first. Opener Fakhar Zaman scored five before being dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka, who continued to trouble the Pakistani batting line-up. Maaz Sadaqat scored eight, Saad Baig made five, and captain Salman Ali Agha managed only nine runs. Babar Azam was Pakistan’s highest scorer with 29 off 33 balls, including five boundaries, but his dismissal left the team struggling at 61 for five. Shadab Khan, who had recently scored his maiden ODI century against England, managed just two runs. Arafat Minhas scored 10, while Hasan Nawaz contributed 17, but neither could prevent Pakistan from being bowled out for 110 in 25.3 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi added 15 runs, including two sixes, before Madushanka dismissed him to complete his five-wicket haul. Madushanka finished with career-best figures of five wickets for 34 runs in 8.3 overs, while Sahan Arachchige claimed two wickets and Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga and Dunith Wellalage took one wicket each. Pakistan’s total was among the lowest scores recorded in ODI encounters between the two sides. During the chase, Kamindu Mendis anchored Sri Lanka’s innings with a composed unbeaten knock, ensuring a comfortable victory. The win secured Sri Lanka’s place in the title decider against Pakistan, who had qualified earlier. Sri Lanka will now enter the final with renewed confidence, while Pakistan will need to address their batting weaknesses ahead of the decisive encounter.