Pakistan and Sri Lanka Unveil Trophy Ahead of Lahore Tri-Series Final

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have stepped up preparations for the ODI tri-series final, with captains Shaheen Shah Afridi and Kusal Mendis posing with the trophy at a ceremony at Governor House in Lahore on Friday.

The final takes place at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, October 31, with the toss at 12:30pm and the first ball at 1pm Pakistan time. Pakistan, playing at home, will be chasing their first ODI tri-series title on home soil, while Sri Lanka want to finish a strong tournament with silverware.

Pakistan topped the league table with three wins from four games, while Sri Lanka finished second with two wins. England, despite a 55-run win over Sri Lanka in the last league game — powered by Ben Duckett's 167 — finished third and missed out.

The tournament, which began on October 18 in Rawalpindi before moving to Lahore, is only the fourth ODI tri-series ever staged on Pakistan soil.

The last meeting still stings

The hosts will have fresh memories of their last meeting with Sri Lanka at this same venue on October 27, when they were bowled out for just 110 in 25.3 overs and lost by eight wickets. Dilshan Madushanka took five for 34 that day, and Kamindu Mendis finished unbeaten on 62.

How the final was reached

Pakistan were the first team to qualify, beating England twice and Sri Lanka once. Sri Lanka booked their place despite losing their final league match, and both sides have now had a long look at the Gaddafi Stadium conditions ahead of the showpiece.

Source: Dunya News