PAK vs SL: Tri-series final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on October 31, 2026
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will meet in the final of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on October 31, 2026, with the match scheduled for 1:30 PM IST.
The ongoing tri-series in Pakistan has been competitive and high-scoring, with England eliminated and Pakistan and Sri Lanka advancing to the final. Both finalists arrive having lost their most recent games. The forecast for Saturday in Lahore calls for a sunny day, a maximum temperature of 29°C and average humidity of 40%, and the surface there has produced substantial runs while offering early swing for fast bowlers and only slow turn for spinners.
Sri Lanka’s defeat to England in their last match was a high-scoring affair in which 717 runs were aggregated and Pavan Rathnayake registered his second century of the tournament; Sri Lanka’s bowling has been described as scratchy in the series coverage.
Pakistan began the tri-series with three consecutive wins before a poor showing in their final group game, when they were bowled out for 110. The hosts will aim to recover with a stronger batting performance in the final to secure the title.
The two sides have met in 162 One-Day Internationals: Pakistan have won 98, Sri Lanka 59, four matches have been abandoned and one has been tied.
Probable playing XIs named in coverage are Pakistan: Maaz Sadaqat, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wk), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf; Sri Lanka: Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (c) (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
Dream11 suggestions listed include wicket-keepers Saad Baig and Kusal Mendis; batters Babar Azam, Pavan Rathnayake and Hasan Nawaz; all-rounders Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyanage, Shadab Khan and Arafat Minhas; bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Avishka Fernando. Captain and vice-captain recommendations provided were: Captain First-Choice: Pavan Rathnayake || Captain Second-Choice: Kusal Mendis; Vice-Captain First-Choice: Shadab Khan || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Babar Azam. An alternate set listed Captain First-Choice: Arafat Minhas || Captain Second-Choice: Janith Liyanage; Vice-Captain First-Choice: Dasun Shanaka || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Kusal Mendis.
The preview noted Pakistan’s familiarity with home conditions and the possibility of a bowling-friendly pitch for the hosts; on that basis the coverage backed Pakistan to win the final. The final ODI is confirmed for October 31, 2026 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.