Fakhar Zaman’s patience and unwavering self-belief reached a spectacular crescendo in Lahore on Saturday, as the Pakistan opener anchored a historic run chase to secure the ODI tri-series title. In a display of composure under immense pressure, Zaman smashed 127 off 99 balls, guiding Pakistan to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka and etching his name into the annals of cricketing history.
Chasing a daunting target of 326, the hosts found themselves in early turmoil after Sri Lankan pacer Dilshan Madushanka dismantled the top order, including the prized scalp of Babar Azam for a five-ball duck. However, the game shifted on its axis as Zaman and young standout Saad Baig orchestrated a sublime 149-run partnership, providing the backbone for what would become the joint-highest successful chase in an ODI final.
‘I was just waiting for that moment’
For Zaman, the century was a vindication of his process. Having endured a lean run through the first four matches of the series, the left-hander admitted that external narratives regarding his form were irrelevant to his internal preparation.
“I’ve played enough cricket now to know that when it’s my day and the ball starts coming nicely off my bat, I’ll score big,” Zaman said during the post-match presentation, where he was rightfully named Player of the Match. “I was just waiting for that moment. I didn’t do anything particularly different from the way I had approached the previous four matches. I prepared for this game in exactly the same way. Luckily, the runs came today.”
Zaman was quick to deflect praise toward his young partner, Saad Baig, whose maiden ODI half-century (74 off 75 balls) provided the momentum required to keep the required run rate under control. “He is a very talented player,” Zaman noted. “Even today, when I was struggling early on, he came in and scored quite quickly. That allowed me to relax. If he had also played slowly like me, perhaps I would have been forced to take more chances and lost my wicket. Credit goes to him—in my opinion, his was the best innings of the match.”
Pakistan matches India’s legendary 2002 Lord’s record
The magnitude of the victory transcends the trophy itself. By successfully chasing down 326, Pakistan matched one of the most storied records in cricket history: India’s iconic chase against England in the 2002 NatWest Series final at Lord’s.
That historic day in London saw Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh script a legendary recovery to overhaul a 326-run target. Over two decades later, the high-octane atmosphere in Lahore mirrored that legendary finish. Pakistan’s ability to remain calm while chasing a massive total in a high-stakes final serves as a testament to the growth and maturity of this current squad.
Minhas and Nawaz secure the thriller
The match remained on a knife’s edge even after Zaman’s departure. When Salman Agha fell to leave the hosts at 230 for five, the tension in the stadium was palpable. However, Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz stepped into the spotlight, stitching together a vital 94-run partnership that navigated the final hurdles of the chase.
Minhas, in particular, displayed maturity beyond his years, scoring a gritty half-century to ensure the team crossed the finish line with nine balls to spare. Their resilience neutralized a strong Sri Lankan effort that had been built on the back of Kamindu Mendis’ magnificent 131 and Pavan Rathnayake’s 77. Despite a valiant bowling performance from Shaheen Shah Afridi, who claimed two for 50, the Sri Lankan total proved insufficient against a determined Pakistani lineup.
‘The happiness is even greater’
The victory is significant for Pakistan, marking their first ODI tri-series title since 2008 and offering a measure of closure following their heartbreaking loss to New Zealand in the 2025 home tri-series final.
For Zaman, the reward was personal, professional, and profound. “Whatever performances you put in throughout the tournament, you do them with the aim of winning the trophy,” he said. “And when you score runs in the final, the happiness is even greater. I consider myself lucky that I managed to score runs today.”
As the crowds erupted in Lahore, the image of Zaman standing tall amidst the ruins of a precarious start served as a reminder that in cricket, form may be temporary, but class—and the ability to deliver on the biggest stage—is a permanent virtue.
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