Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: the tri-series final in Lahore

Searches for Pakistan against Sri Lanka are rising because one match now decides the one-day tri-series. Pakistan and Sri Lanka meet in the final on Saturday 31 October, and the schedule places the match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore [6]. Sri Lanka earned the place with a win on Tuesday 27 October, and that result also ended England's hopes of reaching the final [2] [3].

How Sri Lanka reached the final

The deciding result came in Lahore on 27 October. Pakistan were bowled out for 110, and Dilshan Madushanka took five wickets for 34 runs [1]. Sri Lanka then reached 114 for 2 in 18.1 overs to win by eight wickets, with Kamindu Mendis on 62 at the close [1]. The Island called the result a sensational step into the final [7], and ARY News reported that Sri Lanka had set up the final against Pakistan [8].

England's campaign had already been hit earlier in the series. They lost to Pakistan in Rawalpindi on 20 October. Pakistan made 302 for 9 after batting first, with Hasan Nawaz making 79 off 74 balls [4]. England were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs and lost by 87 runs [4] [5]. Arafat Minhas took six wickets for 40 runs in that match, a career-best return [4].

Why the final matters now

Because the tri-series is a short round of one-day internationals, a single defeat can end a team's chances early. That is what happened to England, whose remaining match against Sri Lanka could no longer change who reached the final [2]. For Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the final is the last chance to decide the series in Lahore, and it is the second time the two sides have met in this tournament.

The 27 October result turned on the bowling. Pakistan were dismissed for 110, and the five-wicket haul from Madushanka was the central figure of that innings [1].

What to watch

The toss and the first powerplay will show how the pitch is playing. Sri Lanka's bowlers have already removed Pakistan for 110 on a day when the batting looked short of answers [1], so the key question for Pakistan is whether their top order can see off the new ball better than they did on Tuesday. For Sri Lanka, the test is whether Madushanka can repeat a spell that set the match up.

Readers who are following the match live should use the official scorecard for the toss, the playing elevens and the final result. Reports published before the match can set out the context, but only the scorecard confirms what happened on the field.