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Sri Lanka stormed into the final of the ODI tri-series in Pakistan with an eight-wicket win over the hosts at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka took a career-best 5-34 to dismiss Pakistan for 110, before Kamindu Mendis’ unbeaten 62 guided Sri Lanka to 114/2 in just 18.1 overs. The result also eliminated England from contention for the final.
After winning the toss and choosing to field, Sri Lanka made early inroads and never allowed Pakistan to establish a stable innings. Pakistan were dismissed for 110 in 25.3 overs, with Babar Azam’s 29 the highest score for the home side. Madushanka led the attack with 5 wickets for 34 runs, the best bowling figures of his career, while Sahan Arachchige supported him with 2-24.
Pakistan’s top order struggled to build partnerships. Babar was the only batter to pass 20, and the middle and lower order could not turn starts into a competitive total. The innings ended with Pakistan well short of a score that could put pressure on Sri Lanka’s batting line-up.
The total was reported as Pakistan’s second-lowest ODI score on home soil, with only their 75 all out against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 2009 lower. For a side that had already secured its place in the final, the collapse was a reminder that qualification and match-day performance are separate challenges.
Sri Lanka’s response was direct and controlled. Kamindu Mendis finished unbeaten on 62, steering the chase and ensuring that the target was reached without a late wobble. Sri Lanka ended on 114/2 after 18.1 overs, winning with 190 balls remaining in the scheduled 50-over innings.
Avishka Fernando made 16 and Kusal Mendis scored eight before Pakistan claimed two wickets, but the target was already within reach. Kamindu continued to score confidently and was joined by Pavan Rathnayake as Sri Lanka completed the job. The eight-wicket margin reflected the gulf between Pakistan’s first-innings total and the visitors’ chase.
The victory gave Sri Lanka their second win in three matches and confirmed their place in the title match. Pakistan had already qualified after winning their first three fixtures, including their earlier victory over Sri Lanka. The hosts will nevertheless need a stronger batting display if they are to finish the tournament with the trophy.
England’s elimination was the major tournament consequence of the result. Harry Brook’s side had lost all three of their matches and needed Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka to retain a mathematical route to the final. Sri Lanka’s emphatic win removed that possibility, making England’s remaining fixture against Sri Lanka on October 29 a dead rubber in qualification terms.
England’s campaign had included two particularly painful defeats. They lost to Sri Lanka by two wickets after posting 429/4 in Rawalpindi, then suffered a one-wicket defeat to Pakistan after being unable to defend a large total. The loss to Pakistan on October 20 had also been by 87 runs. The three defeats left England unable to reach the final, despite having entered the series with encouraging ODI results earlier in 2026.
The tournament’s format sends the top two sides to the final, and Pakistan had already booked its place. Sri Lanka’s win made them the second finalist and ensured that the October 29 meeting with England would not change the title-match pairing.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to meet in the final at Gaddafi Stadium on October 31. The result sets up a rematch between the hosts and the side that defeated them so comprehensively in the group stage. Pakistan will be looking to recover from the batting collapse, while Sri Lanka arrive with momentum after a strong bowling performance and a rapid chase.
Madushanka’s five-wicket haul will be a particular positive for Sri Lanka ahead of the final, as the left-armer dismantled the Pakistan line-up with pace and accuracy. Kamindu’s unbeaten half-century also gave the team confidence that its batting can finish a chase quickly when the bowlers provide a manageable target.
For England, the tournament now turns to their final scheduled match against Sri Lanka before the sides move on to other commitments. The result in Lahore has settled the tri-series final line-up: Pakistan, the hosts, will face Sri Lanka after the visitors’ eight-wicket win ended England’s hopes.
