Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited content and the digital versions of our print editions - Today's Paper.
Opener Fakhar Zaman has overcame a bruised knee and a lean run to score 127, a knock that inspired Pakistan to a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka by three wickets in the final of the one-day international tri-series.
Zaman's entertaining hundred and Arafat Minhas's robust 61 off 31 balls took Pakistan to a winning 7-331 in 48.3 overs in Saturday's clash as the Sri Lankan bowlers found it hard to control the wet ball because of dew.
Kamindu Mendis scored 131, his maiden ODI century, to earlier propel Sri Lanka to 8-325 while batting first for the first time in the tournament.
Zaman came into the final with only 31 runs in his last four innings and spent most of the time in the dressing room after he injured his right knee while fielding.
Pakistan lost Maaz Sadaqat for five and Babar Azam for a five-ball duck, much to the disappointment of the 31,265 home fans at Gaddafi Stadium, but Zaman revived the chase with 19-year-old Saad Baig, who made 74 off 75 balls. They put up a 149-run stand.
Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana, playing his first match in the tri-series, missed out on claiming Zaman on 69 and 106, when he couldn't hold onto a return catch. Theekshana dropped Zaman again, a sitter on the boundary, after he reached his century off 84 balls.
Zaman's 99-ball knock finally ended in the 34th over when he was clean bowled by Dilshan Madushanka with Pakistan still 106 runs from victory. Madushanka took 3-63.
The wet ball couldn't help Sri Lanka as the young pair of Minhas and Hasan Nawaz (37 not out) kept their nerve before Asitha Fernando (2-72) added to the drama by bagging the wickets of Minhas and Faheem Ashraf off successive balls.
Be the first to know when news breaks.
Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation.
Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening.
Today's top stories curated by our news team.
Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am!
Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more.
Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe.
Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday.
Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarGuide, ACM's exclusive motoring partner.
Real local, smart property news for regional Australia
Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!
Stay in the know on news that matters to you with twice weekly newsletters from The Senior.
The latest news, results & expert analysis.
Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over.
Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters.
Going out or staying in? Find out what's on.
Loading comments…