By Dwayne Ferreira
Pakistan bowled out for just 110 as Kamindu Mendis guides Sri Lanka to a commanding victory with 191 deliveries remaining.
Lahore, Pakistan – Sri Lanka delivered a devastating bowling performance to dismantle Pakistan for just 110 runs before cruising to an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the fifth match of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Nation Series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
The remarkable victory saw Sri Lanka reach 114 for 2 in just 18.1 overs, completing their chase with an astonishing 191 deliveries remaining and bringing Pakistan’s unbeaten run in the tournament to an abrupt end.
Left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka emerged as the architect of Pakistan’s destruction, producing outstanding figures of 5 for 34 from 8.3 overs, while Kamindu Mendis completed the demolition with an unbeaten 62 from 60 deliveries.
The result secured Sri Lanka’s place in the tournament final against Pakistan, scheduled for October 31, while eliminating England from contention.
Having already produced one of the greatest run chases in ODI history against England five days earlier, Sri Lanka demonstrated an entirely different dimension of their cricketing ability, this time overwhelming their opponents through disciplined bowling and clinical batting.
Dilshan Madushanka Destroys Pakistan With Magnificent Five-Wicket Haul
Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that would ultimately prove decisive.
Pakistan entered the contest having won all three of their previous matches in the tournament, including a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka on October 18.
However, the hosts encountered an entirely different Sri Lankan bowling attack in Lahore.
Madushanka immediately placed Pakistan under pressure, dismissing opening batsman Fakhar Zaman for just five runs.
Fakhar’s dismissal, caught by Pavan Rathnayake, left Pakistan struggling at 11 for 1 in the fourth over.
Asitha Fernando then removed Maaz Sadaqat for eight, reducing Pakistan to 23 for 2.
The early breakthroughs effectively dismantled Pakistan’s opening partnership and exposed their middle order to sustained pressure.
Madushanka continued to trouble the Pakistani batsmen with his left-arm pace, eventually claiming the wickets of Saad Baig, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi.
His remarkable spell included one maiden over and an economy rate of exactly four runs per over.
Pakistan simply had no answer.
Madushanka completed his five-wicket haul when Shaheen Afridi was caught by Dunith Wellalage, ending Pakistan’s innings after just 25.3 overs.
The outstanding performance earned Madushanka the Player of the Match award.
Pakistan Collapse From 61 for 3 to 110 All Out
Pakistan’s batting collapse was particularly remarkable considering the form they had demonstrated earlier in the competition.
Babar Azam attempted to stabilise the innings, scoring 29 from 33 deliveries, including five boundaries.
However, his dismissal by Eshan Malinga triggered further problems for the hosts.
Pakistan had reached 61 for 3 before Salman Ali Agha was dismissed for nine on the final delivery of the 13th over.
Babar fell on the very next ball, leaving Pakistan at 61 for 5.
Within ten deliveries, Shadab Khan was also dismissed, reducing the hosts to a disastrous 64 for 6.
The situation was particularly disappointing for Shadab, who had produced a sensational unbeaten century against England just two days earlier.
After rescuing Pakistan from 154 for 9 to secure a remarkable one-wicket victory over England on October 25, Shadab managed only two runs against Sri Lanka.
Hasan Nawaz attempted to offer some resistance, scoring 17 from 31 balls, while captain Shaheen Afridi contributed 15 from 13 deliveries, including two sixes.
However, their efforts were insufficient to prevent Pakistan from recording a disappointing total.
Babar’s 29 remained the highest individual score of the innings.
Pakistan lost their final seven wickets for just 49 runs.
Sri Lankan Bowling Attack Delivers Complete Team Performance
Although Madushanka dominated the headlines, Sri Lanka’s comprehensive victory was built upon a collective bowling effort.
Sahan Arachchige provided valuable support, claiming two wickets for 24 runs from five overs.
His victims included Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan, two batsmen capable of transforming Pakistan’s innings.
Eshan Malinga delivered an exceptionally economical spell, conceding only eight runs from four overs while dismissing Babar Azam.
Dunith Wellalage was equally effective, taking one wicket for just four runs from two overs.
Asitha Fernando claimed the remaining wicket, completing a thoroughly professional bowling performance.
Every Sri Lankan bowler used during Pakistan’s innings claimed at least one wicket.
Together, the five bowlers required only 153 deliveries to dismiss the entire Pakistani batting lineup.
The performance was a powerful demonstration of Sri Lanka’s ability to dominate opposition batting lineups through pace, variation and disciplined execution.
Kamindu Mendis Leads Sri Lanka’s Comfortable Run Chase
Having dismissed Pakistan for just 110, Sri Lanka required only 111 runs to secure victory and confirm their place in the final.
Kamindu Mendis immediately assumed responsibility for the chase.
Opening the batting alongside Avishka Fernando, Kamindu played with confidence, combining calculated aggression with intelligent shot selection.
Avishka contributed 16 from 17 deliveries before falling to Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Sri Lanka were 50 for 1 when the opening partnership ended in the seventh over.
Captain Kusal Mendis then struck two boundaries in his brief innings of eight from six deliveries before being bowled by Arafat Minhas.
At 62 for 2, Pakistan had claimed two wickets, but Sri Lanka remained firmly in control.
Kamindu continued to dominate the scoring, reaching his half-century from just 43 deliveries.
His innings featured eight fours and two sixes, ensuring that Pakistan’s modest target never became a serious challenge.
The left-handed batsman remained unbeaten on 62 from 60 deliveries, striking at a rate of 103.33.
Pavan Rathnayake Helps Complete the Demolition
Pavan Rathnayake, who had played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s historic victory over England, once again demonstrated his value to the batting lineup.
Joining Kamindu after the dismissal of Kusal Mendis, Rathnayake adopted a composed approach.
With the required target already well within reach, the pair concentrated on rotating the strike and eliminating unnecessary risks.
Rathnayake finished unbeaten on 23 from 26 balls.
Their unbroken third-wicket partnership of 52 runs ensured that Pakistan would not claim another wicket.
Sri Lanka eventually reached 114 for 2 in just 18.1 overs.
The commanding victory was completed with 31 overs and five balls remaining, underlining the extraordinary gulf between the two sides on the day.
Pakistan’s Unbeaten Tournament Run Comes to an Abrupt End
Pakistan entered Tuesday’s contest as the only unbeaten team in the tournament.
Their campaign had begun with a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka on October 18, followed by an 87-run triumph over England two days later.
The hosts then produced one of the competition’s most dramatic performances against England on October 25.
Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113, combined with an extraordinary 89-run final-wicket partnership with Haris Rauf, secured a remarkable one-wicket victory.
Those three consecutive victories had already guaranteed Pakistan a place in the final.
However, Tuesday’s defeat exposed significant vulnerabilities in their batting lineup.
Despite possessing experienced players including Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan, Pakistan were unable to construct a meaningful partnership once Sri Lanka’s bowlers established control.
Their dismissal for 110 represented a dramatic reversal from the batting performances that had secured their earlier victories.
Pakistan will now have to address those shortcomings before facing Sri Lanka again in the tournament final.
Sri Lanka Transform Their Tournament With Two Extraordinary Victories
Sri Lanka’s remarkable resurgence has been one of the defining stories of the tournament.
After losing their opening encounter against Pakistan by 37 runs, Sri Lanka faced mounting pressure to keep their final ambitions alive.
They responded with an extraordinary performance against England on October 22.
England captain Harry Brook smashed a record-breaking 202 from just 116 deliveries, helping his side post a formidable 429 for 4.
Yet Sri Lanka produced an astonishing batting display to reach 430 for 8 with one delivery remaining.
Pavan Rathnayake scored 130, Avishka Fernando contributed 97, Dasun Shanaka hammered 97 from just 50 deliveries, and Janith Liyanage finished unbeaten on 61 from 27 balls.
That victory established Sri Lanka’s highest successful ODI run chase and the second-highest successful chase in men’s ODI history.
Five days later, Sri Lanka achieved another remarkable victory, although under entirely different circumstances.
Against England, the batsmen were required to chase an almost unimaginable target.
Against Pakistan, the bowlers effectively decided the contest before the batsmen took the field.
The contrasting victories have demonstrated Sri Lanka’s ability to compete successfully in both high-scoring encounters and matches dominated by bowling.
Sri Lanka Secure Place in October 31 Final
Tuesday’s victory carries significant implications beyond the immediate result.
Sri Lanka have now recorded two victories from their three matches in the tournament, placing them beyond England’s reach.
England have lost all three of their matches and can finish with a maximum of one victory, even if they defeat Sri Lanka in their remaining encounter on October 29.
Consequently, Sri Lanka will meet hosts Pakistan in the tournament final at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, October 31.
The October 29 encounter between England and Sri Lanka will therefore have no bearing on qualification for the final.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will have an opportunity to avenge Tuesday’s comprehensive defeat when the teams meet again.
The final promises an intriguing contest between two sides that have now defeated each other during the group stage.
From Chasing 430 to Dismissing Pakistan for 110
Sri Lanka’s two victories have illustrated the remarkable unpredictability of ODI cricket.
Against England, Sri Lanka successfully chased 430 in an encounter dominated by batting records.
Against Pakistan, they dismissed their opponents for 110 and completed the chase with more than half their allotted overs unused.
The performances could hardly have been more different.
Yet both produced the same outcome: victory for Sri Lanka.
Madushanka’s magnificent five-wicket haul, the collective discipline of the Sri Lankan bowling attack and Kamindu Mendis’s commanding unbeaten half-century combined to produce a comprehensive result.
Pakistan had entered the match with an unbeaten record and considerable momentum.
Sri Lanka left Lahore having dismantled the tournament leaders and secured their own place in the final.
Five days after chasing down 430 against England, Sri Lanka required just 111 against Pakistan. This time, their bowlers made certain that their batsmen would barely need to break a sweat.
Match Summary
Result: Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets with 191 balls remaining.
Pakistan: 110 all out (25.3 overs)
Sri Lanka: 114/2 (18.1 overs)
Best Batting – Sri Lanka
- Kamindu Mendis — 62* (60 balls)
- Pavan Rathnayake — 23* (26 balls)
- Avishka Fernando — 16 (17 balls)
- Kusal Mendis — 8 (6 balls)
Best Batting – Pakistan
- Babar Azam — 29 (33 balls)
- Hasan Nawaz — 17 (31 balls)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi — 15 (13 balls)
- Arafat Minhas — 10 (18 balls)
Best Bowling – Sri Lanka
- Dilshan Madushanka — 5/34 (8.3 overs)
- Sahan Arachchige — 2/24 (5 overs)
- Eshan Malinga — 1/8 (4 overs)
- Dunith Wellalage — 1/4 (2 overs)
- Asitha Fernando — 1/34 (6 overs)
Best Bowling – Pakistan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi — 1/29 (6 overs)
- Arafat Minhas — 1/23 (5 overs)
Player of the Match: Dilshan Madushanka
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
Date: October 27, 2026
Tournament: Pakistan ODI Tri-Nation Series 2026
Match: Fifth ODI
Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl.
Tournament significance: Sri Lanka qualified for the October 31 final against Pakistan.
Next match: Sri Lanka vs England – October 29, 2026.
Final: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – October 31, 2026, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
