Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Tri-Series Final (Oct 31, Lahore): Preview, Squads

Pakistan and Sri Lanka meet in the final of the ODI tri-series in Lahore on Saturday 31 October, with England the third team in the competition, per Cricinfo’s series page. The final line-up was settled when Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the league stage, a result that sealed Sri Lanka’s place in the final.

How Pakistan Got Here and What Went Wrong Last Time

Pakistan opened the series with a 37-run win over Sri Lanka, a game in which Salman Agha scored a century. Later, Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 carried Pakistan to a one-wicket win over England in the fourth ODI, a result that kept Pakistan alive in the competition.

The most recent meeting with Sri Lanka went the other way. Pakistan were bowled out for 110, their second-lowest ODI total at home, as left-armer Madushanka took 5 for 34. Sri Lanka, whom Cricinfo’s coverage described as the side that chased down a very large target earlier in the series, needed only a modest chase to book the final.

Talking Points for the Final

1. Can Pakistan’s top order handle the new ball? The 110 all-out was a top-order failure. Pakistan have leaned on lower-order recoveries, notably Shadab’s 113 against England, which is not a sustainable plan in a final.

2. Madushanka versus Pakistan’s left-right balance. Sri Lanka’s left-arm seam threat targeted Pakistan’s top order in the last meeting; selection and batting order against him is a key tactical question.

3. Squad changes. Cricinfo’s previews report that Saim Ayub was replaced by Sahibzada Farhan in the squad for the later matches, and that Naseem Shah was fit and available. Confirm the playing XI on match day.

4. The Lahore factor. The final is at home, where Pakistan have the crowd and the familiarity, but the 110 shows that familiarity does not guarantee runs.

5. Leadership. Shaheen Afridi captains the ODI side with Mike Hesson as head coach. A final is the first major test of that setup in a knockout-style match.

Form Guide (from the tri-series)

Team	Highlights
Pakistan	Opened with a win over Sri Lanka; Salman Agha century; Shadab Khan 113* in a one-wicket win over England; later bowled out for 110 by Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka	Beat Pakistan in the league stage; Madushanka 5/34; described as the team that chased a 430-plus target earlier in the series

How to Follow

Cricinfo’s series page carries fixtures, live scores and the points table. Publish the playing XI, toss result and live updates on match day.

Bottom Line

The final is a rematch of the game that exposed Pakistan’s batting. The bowlers have kept Pakistan in this tournament; the question is whether the top order will do its job when it matters.