Lahore, October 27,2026: Pakistan suffered a dramatic batting collapse against Sri Lanka, being bowled out for just 110 in 25.3 overs in the fifth match of the One-day International tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.
Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka led Sri Lanka’s bowling attack with a career-best five for 34, exploiting short-pitched deliveries to dismantle Pakistan’s batting lineup after the visitors elected to field.
Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 29 off 33 balls, hitting five boundaries, while Hasan Nawaz contributed 17. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi added a late burst of aggression with 15 off 13 deliveries, including two sixes, but the hosts failed to build a competitive total.
Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman for five in the fourth over when he was caught at point off Madushanka. Maaz Sadaqat, making his first appearance in the tri-series after joining the squad a day earlier, scored eight before Asitha Fernando trapped him leg-before with a yorker.
Babar attempted to steady the innings, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Saad Baig departed for five in the 10th over, caught at short cover off Madushanka, while Salman Ali Agha scored nine before edging Sahan Arachchige behind.
Babar’s innings ended at 29 when Eshan Malinga trapped him leg-before in the 14th over, leaving Pakistan struggling at 61-4.
Sri Lanka tightened their grip as the spinners joined the attack. Shadab Khan scored just two before top-edging Arachchige to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, while Hasan Nawaz fell for 17 after attempting to attack Dunith Wellalage. Arachchige took a running catch at long-off, reducing Pakistan to 91-8.
Madushanka returned to clean up the tail, dismissing Arafat Minhas for 10 and Haris Rauf for one. Minhas was caught by Kusal Mendis after fending off a sharp bouncer, while Haris fell to a diving catch by Kamindu Mendis at slip.
Shaheen briefly counter-attacked, hitting two sixes against the short ball, but Madushanka ended Pakistan’s innings in the 26th over when the captain was caught by Wellalage at fine leg.
Madushanka finished with five wickets, while Arachchige claimed two. Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga and Wellalage took one wicket each.
Pakistan’s modest total left Sri Lanka needing 111 runs to win and strengthen their position in the tri-series, while the hosts required a remarkable bowling effort to defend their score.
