The key facts

  • Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 8 wickets in Lahore
  • Madushanka set a personal best of 5-34, Pakistan were dismissed for 110 in 25.3 overs
  • England lost their chance of the final; Pakistan had already qualified with three wins

A rout in Lahore

In Lahore, Sri Lanka cruised to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Pakistan that ended England's chances of reaching the tri-series final. Fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka delivered a career-best 5-34, while spinner Sahan Arachchige added 2-24. Pakistan, sent in to bat first, were dismissed for just 110 in 25.3 overs, and Sri Lanka chased down the target in 18.1 overs, AFP reports.

The final is decided

The win was Sri Lanka's second in three matches and secured their place in Sunday's final, where Pakistan had already qualified with three victories. England, having lost in a row to Sri Lanka and Pakistan after letting winning positions slip, needed the hosts to win in order to keep their final hopes alive. Thursday's match between Sri Lanka and England is now of no competitive significance.

How the game unfolded

Kamilu Mendis scored an unbeaten 62 off 60 balls with two sixes and eight fours, bringing up his fifth ODI half-century with a six off Shaheen Shah Afridi. Pavan Rathnayake remained unbeaten on 23, Avishka Fernando fell for 16, and captain Kusal Mendis for 8. For Pakistan, only Babar Azam offered resistance with 29, and Hasan Nawaz with 17. Madushanka started the collapse by removing Fakhar Zaman for 5 in the fourth over, then took the wickets of Shaheen (15) and Haris Rauf (1) to complete his five-wicket haul. His previous best was 5-80 against India in Mumbai at the 2023 World Cup. The 110 total was Pakistan's second-worst at home after the 75 against the same opposition at the same venue in 2009.

Team reactions

Kusal Mendis praised the bowlers, especially Madushanka: 'We executed our plans well, and Dilshan was outstanding — everyone is pleased with the team's progress.' His side had earlier on Thursday chased 430 against England — the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history. After a poor outing, Shaheen urged moving on: 'We must forget this match and prepare for the final. We will come back in the final and bat stronger.'