Kamindu’s Maiden ton powers Sri Lanka to 325

Kamindu Mendis delivered a stunning performance with 131 runs as Sri Lanka posted 325-8 against Pakistan in the ODI tri-series final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

After Pakistan elected to bowl first, Sri Lanka’s opening pair of Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis added 87 runs. Fernando scored 38 before Salman Ali Agha dismissed him, with the same bowler later removing Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis for eight.

Kamindu then partnered with Pavan Rathnayake to stabilise the innings and put Pakistan under pressure. Their impressive 146-run stand for the third wicket proved crucial in taking Sri Lanka towards a formidable total.

Kamindu reached his maiden ODI century off 107 deliveries before Haris Rauf dismissed him for 131 from 128 balls. His innings featured 12 fours and two sixes. Rathnayake continued the momentum with a fluent 77 off 65 balls, including eight boundaries, before also falling to Rauf.

Sri Lanka stood at 255-3 when Kamindu departed, but Pakistan responded with a series of wickets in the closing overs. Dasun Shanaka contributed a quick 17 before Shaheen Shah Afridi sent him back, while Naseem Shah dismissed Janith Liyanage and Sahan Arachchige.

Maheesh Theekshana remained unbeaten on nine, and Asitha Fernando added seven not out to help Sri Lanka finish at 325-8.

Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha and Haris Rauf claimed two wickets apiece for Pakistan.

Pakistan made one change to their lineup, bringing in Faheem Ashraf for Shadab Khan, who was ruled out of the final on medical grounds after being struck by a bouncer in the previous ODI. Sri Lanka also made a change, replacing Eshan Malinga with Theekshana.