Sri Lanka Beat Pakistan by Eight Wickets to Reach Tri-Series Final and Knock Out England

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wickets in Lahore on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to reach the final of the one day international tri-series in Pakistan. The win also ended England's hopes. England were eliminated with a game to spare after losing their first three matches.

Pakistan were bowled out for a low total at Gaddafi Stadium and Sri Lanka chased the target with time to spare. The result sets up a final between the same two teams on Sunday in Lahore.

Madushanka tears through Pakistan

Pakistan were dismissed for 110 in 25.3 overs. It was their second lowest one day international total at home. The only lower total was the 75 they made against Sri Lanka at the same venue in 2009.

Left arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka led the attack. He took a career best 5 for 34 and was named player of the match. Spinner Sahan Arachchige took 2 for 24 in support.

Babar Azam top scored for Pakistan with 29. Hasan Nawaz made 17.

Madushanka said after the match: "We had a plan and followed it. Because of that, as a team, we were able to bowl them out for a low score."

Mendis guides the chase home

Sri Lanka reached the target in 18.1 overs and finished on 114 for 2. Kamindu Mendis made an unbeaten 62 from 60 balls, with eight fours and two sixes. Pavan Rathnayake was unbeaten on 23.

Avishka Fernando made 16 and captain Kusal Mendis made 8. The two wickets fell to Shaheen Afridi and Arafat Minhas. Sri Lanka completed the win by eight wickets with overs remaining.

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis said: "We executed our plans well and Dilshan bowled superbly, everyone is happy at the team's progress."

Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi said: "We must forget this match and get ready for the final. We will come back in the final and bat stronger."

England out and the final is set

The result eliminated England. Their last match, against Sri Lanka on Thursday, is now a dead rubber. Pakistan had already qualified for Sunday's final with three wins. Sri Lanka join them with two wins from three matches.

England's exit ends a difficult campaign. Earlier in the series England failed to defend 429 against Sri Lanka, even though captain Harry Brook scored the fastest double century in one day international history. England also lost by one wicket to Pakistan, in a game where Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf shared a record 89 run partnership for the last wicket.

For Sri Lanka, the win was built on bowling and a steady chase. Madushanka gave them control, Arachchige kept pressure on, and Kamindu Mendis finished the job. Pakistan must regroup quickly before Sunday's final at the same ground.