Pakistan vs Sri Lanka has reached the final of the ODI tri-series, with the two sides meeting at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. local time in Lahore, which is 4 a.m. Eastern time in Canada.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to field, according to live match listings, leaving Sri Lanka to bat first in the title decider.
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Pakistan vs Sri Lanka final gets under way
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi leads the home side, while Sri Lanka is captained by wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis.
The final is the seventh match of the three-team competition, which also includes England.
Pakistan qualified first after winning two matches against England and one against Sri Lanka during the round-robin stage.
Sri Lanka secured its place in the final after defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in Lahore on October 27.
That result came after Sri Lanka dismissed Pakistan for 110 before reaching 114 for two in 18.1 overs.
How the finalists reached Lahore
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have already met twice in the tournament, producing contrasting results.
In the opening match at Rawalpindi on October 18, Pakistan scored 305 before dismissing Sri Lanka for 268 to win by 37 runs.
Salman Ali Agha has been one of Pakistan’s leading performers in the tournament and scored a century against Sri Lanka in that opening meeting.
In the return match four days before the final, Sri Lankan fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka claimed five wickets as Pakistan collapsed.
The result gave Sri Lanka momentum heading into the final, although Pakistan has home conditions and a stronger tournament record behind it.
Players to watch
Pakistan’s batting order includes Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha, while its bowling attack features Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
Sri Lanka’s squad includes Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka and Maheesh Theekshana.
The final will test whether Pakistan’s batters can produce a more durable innings after the team was bowled out cheaply in the previous meeting.
Sri Lanka will look to repeat the disciplined bowling performance that created early pressure and allowed its chase to finish with more than 30 overs remaining.
What happens next
The winner will claim the ODI tri-series title at the conclusion of Saturday’s final.
The match is part of Sri Lanka’s wider tour of Pakistan, with a Test series scheduled to follow in November.
The first Test is scheduled to begin on November 9, 2026.
Live updates will depend on the progress of the innings, with the latest score, wickets and result expected to be confirmed as play continues in Lahore.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka final being played?
The ODI tri-series final is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
What time does the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka final start in Canada?
The scheduled start is 4 a.m. Eastern time in Canada, corresponding to 1 p.m. local time in Lahore.
Who won the toss in the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka final?
Pakistan won the toss and elected to field.
How did Pakistan and Sri Lanka reach the final?
Pakistan qualified after winning three round-robin matches, while Sri Lanka secured the second final spot after beating Pakistan on October 27.
When is Pakistan’s next Test series against Sri Lanka?
The teams are scheduled to begin a Test series on November 9, 2026, after the ODI tri-series.
Fact-Checked: Key match timing, venue, tournament context and team information were checked against Pakistan Cricket Board, PCB Live and ICC match information.
Disclaimer: Match details may change as the live final progresses, and the score or result should be confirmed through the official match centre.