One-day cricket tri-series: Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wickets

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wickets in Lahore on Tuesday, 27 October, reaching the final of the three-team, 50-over international cricket tournament and eliminating England.

England had lost all three of their matches. To retain a chance of qualifying, they needed Pakistan to win this game and then had to beat Sri Lanka on Thursday. Pakistan had already qualified after beating England twice and Sri Lanka once.

Madushanka takes five wickets

Dilshan Madushanka took a career-best five wickets for 34 runs: he dismissed five Pakistan batters while conceding 34 runs. Pakistan kept losing wickets, with Babar Azam’s 29 their highest individual score.

Opening batter Kamindu Mendis led Sri Lanka’s chase with 62 from 60 balls without being dismissed. Sri Lanka reached the target with more than 31 overs unused. The eight-wicket margin means they won with only two batters dismissed.

England play once more before Saturday’s final

Sri Lanka face England at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday in a match that can no longer change either team’s qualification. Saturday’s final will be a rematch between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, who won their first meeting in the tournament by 37 runs.