Pakistan clinch tri-series with big chase against Sri Lanka
Fakhar Zaman led the charge as the hosts wrapped up a tri-series win.
Pakistan chased down a target of 326 to win the ODI tri-series final against Sri Lanka, taking away some big positives on the road to next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
In front of their home fans in Lahore, Pakistan's batting lineup delivered on all fronts, led by the experienced campaigner Fakhar Zaman.
The left-handed batter scored his 12th ODI century, a knock of 127 off 99 deliveries, which included 11 fours and six maximums.
While the hosts did lose two wickets early on as Maaz Sadaqat (5) and Babar Azam (0) returned for low scores, Zaman was accompanied by Saad Baig as Pakistan made their way towards a daunting total.
Baig scored his maiden ODI half-century for Pakistan - 74 off 75 deliveries. However, Sri Lanka would find an opening later in the innings, with Pakistan five wickets down for 230 after 36.5 overs as both Baig and Zaman returned to the dressing room.
Arafat Minhas, though, produced a quickfire 61 off 31 balls to ensure that the home side didn't let the momentum tilt entirely in Sri Lanka's favour.
His knock included three fours and four sixes, while Hasan Nawaz (37 off 45) also came up with an important contribution.
It was captain Shaheen Afridi who eventually wrapped up the chase with a six as Pakistan claimed a three-wicket win.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had got off to a solid start after being put in to bat first. Openers Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis added 87 for the first-wicket partnership.
While Fernando would depart after scoring 38, Mendis went on to notch a well-crafted century, compiling 131 runs from 128 balls.
Pavan Rathnayake also continued his outstanding run with the bat, putting together 77 runs off 65 balls, having scored a couple of centuries as well in the tri-series.
However, the efforts of the batters didn't prove to be enough as Pakistan emerged victorious.