Fakhar (127), Saad (74) and Minhas (61) star in superb victory over Sri Lanka
KARACHI: Fakhar Zaman slammed superb hundred as Pakistan were crowned champions when they overhelmed Sri Lanka by three wickets in the final of the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Saturday.
Fakhar smashed 127 as hosts chased down the 326-run target with nine balls to spare after losing seven wickets in the process.
Fakhar, who had hit his previous century three years ago, added 149 for the third wicket partnership with Saad Baig who hammered 75-ball 74. Saad, who hit his maiden fifty, smashed 11 well-timed fours before being held off his own bowling by spinner Maheesh Theekshana.
Fakhar, who scored his 12 th century of his career, also completed 4000 runs when he reached 108.
Left-hander, who reached his century off 84 balls, then added 57 for the fourth wicket association with Agha Salman before being bowled by pacer Madushanka.
Fakhar struck six sixes and 11 fours in his 99-ball match-winning knock.
Dunith Wellalage then got rid of Agha Salman (17) to create some hopes for Sri Lanka.
However, Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz thwarted that threat by sharing 94 runs for the sixth wicket partnership to make things easier for the hosts.
Asitha Fernando removed Arafat who struck a fiery 31-ball 61, clobbering four sixes and three fours.
Fernando had Faheem Ashraf (0) off his next delivery but Hasan and Shaheen (6*) did the rest of the work to seal a fine win.
Hasan struck two fours in his 45-ball 37 not out.
Dilshan Madushanka was the pick of the bowlers with 3-63 in 9.3 overs.
Chasing a stiff target Pakistan had a poor start when Dilshan Madushanka removed Maaz Sadaqat (5) and Babar Azam (0) cheaply to put Pakistan in deep trouble.
Earlier opener Kamindu Mendis struck a brilliant 131 while Pavan Rathnayake contributed 77 as Sri Lanka posted a fighting total of 325-8.
After Pakistan elected to field, Sri Lanka made a steady start through openers Avishka Fernando and Kamindu, who put on 87 for the first wicket.
Salman Ali Agha broke the stand in the 18 th over when he had Fernando, trapped lbw, for 38. He faced 49 balls and hammered three fours and a six in his nice knock.
Salman struck again when he dismissed captain Kusal Mendis (8) cheaply to leave Sri Lanka at 109-2.
Kamindu then joined forces with Rathnayake to rebuild the innings. The pair added 146 for the third wicket stand to put Sri Lanka in a commanding position.
Kamindu brought up his maiden century off 107 balls while Rathnayake reached his fifty off 47 deliveries.
The partnership ended in the 42nd over when Kamindu was dismissed by Haris Rauf for 131 off 128 balls. His innings included 12 fours and two sixes.
Rathnayake, who has also hit two centuries in the series, continued to score freely before falling to Rauf for 77 off 65 balls, having struck eight fours.
Sri Lanka were 255-3 when Kamindu departed. However Pakistan fought back with regular wickets in the closing overs.
Dasun Shanaka struck a nine-ball 17, hitting two fours and a six before Shaheen Afridi dismissed him.
Janith Liyanage managed six before falling to Naseem Shah, who also removed Sahan Arachchige for 15.
Maheesh Theekshana remained not out on nine while Asitha Fernando chipped in with an unbeaten seven to help Sri Lanka finish at a decent total.
Shaheen, Naseem, Agha Salman and Haris Rauf claimed two wickets each. Haris conceded 61 runs in 9.6 overs while Naseem remained the expensive bowler as he conceded 80 runs in his quota of ten overs.
Pakistan made one change, brining in Faheem Ashraf in place of Shadab Khan.
Sri Lanka dropped Eshan Malinga and brought in spinner Maheesh Theekshana to boost their bowling.
Earlier Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pakistan made one change, brining in Faheem Ashraf in place of Shadab Khan who was not feeling well. Sri Lanka dropped Eshan Malinga and brought in Maheesh Theekshana.
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