Pakistan vs Sri Lanka tri-final live: chase of 326 for Pakistan, streams and team news

Pakistan and Sri Lanka meet in the final of the 2026 ODI tri-series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday — a low-stakes trophy with high relevance as both teams fine-tune their plans ahead of next year’s 50-over World Cup. The toss has gone Pakistan’s way and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has chosen to bowl first, setting the stage for a tense day under lights.

Form and storylines

On paper Pakistan have been the tournament’s most consistent side, producing a string of commanding displays that have masked ongoing off-field instability. Their campaign has featured a big hundred from Salman Ali Agha, an eye-catching six-wicket performance from young spinner Arafat Minhas, and a nervy, match-winning 113 not out from Shadab Khan that clinched a one-wicket win.

Sri Lanka’s route to the final has been dramatic. After conceding a double century to England’s Harry Brook, they responded with a near-impossible chase — powered by substantial contributions from Pavan Rathnayake, Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka — to overhaul 429 with only one ball to spare. That resilience continued with an emphatic win over the hosts that booked their place in Lahore.

Team line-ups and squads

The captains have named expected XIs for the decider, with both sides fielding a mix of tested internationals and emerging talent.

• Pakistan XI: Maaz Sadaqat, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wk), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
• Sri Lanka XI: Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (c, wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

When the game starts

Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00pm local time in Lahore on Saturday, October 31. Key global conversion times are listed below.

• Karachi / Lahore (PKT): 1:00pm
• Eastern Time (US): 4:00am
• Greenwich Mean Time (UK): 8:00am
• AEDT (Australia): 7:00pm

Where to watch

Broadcast rights vary by country. For viewers outside these territories, accessing your usual service from abroad may be possible through a VPN, subject to the streaming provider’s terms and local laws.

• Pakistan: Tapmad will stream the final free with a registered account.
• United States: Willow TV holds the live rights; the channel is also available through Sling TV packages that include South Asian channels.
• United Kingdom: Sky Sports (Sky Sports Cricket) will show the match; Now Sports offers a day or monthly pass as an alternative.
• India: Sony Sports Network will broadcast the game, with live streaming via SonyLIV.
• Australia: Fox Sports (Foxtel) is the rights holder and Kayo Sports carries live streams.

What’s at stake

Beyond the trophy, the final is a valuable rehearsal. Selectors and coaches will be watching how bowlers handle pressure in the middle overs and whether top-order batters can build long innings — small runs and tactical adjustments now could ripple into World Cup selection and strategy.

• For Pakistan: confirmation that recent batting displays can be replicated under knockout pressure and further evidence that their young bowlers can close matches.
• For Sri Lanka: proof that their middle-order firepower is capable of chasing big totals and that the team’s recent momentum is sustainable.

Match-day conditions, toss decisions and in-game momentum will determine whether Lahore produces a high-scoring shootout or a tight, tactical contest. Either way, the result will be a useful data point for both teams as they head into the World Cup build-up.