Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the fifth match of the one-day tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, with the hosts already through to the final and the visitors chasing the second place in the title match.
The match is a big one for Sri Lanka. A win would seal their place in the final against Pakistan on Saturday 31 October. A loss would leave them with one more chance, against England on Thursday 29 October, to book their spot in the title match.
Pakistan come into the game in fine form. They have won all three of their matches so far in the tri-series and sit on six points. That record has already made sure of their place in the final, whatever happens in Lahore on Tuesday.
The hosts sealed their final spot with a thrilling one-wicket win over England on Sunday. Shadab Khan was the hero of that win with an unbeaten 113, an innings that turned the match in Pakistan’s favour and kept their perfect record in the series intact.
What is at stake
For Pakistan, Tuesday is a chance to keep their winning run going and to carry momentum into the final on Saturday. They have played good cricket through the series and will want to finish the group stage unbeaten.
For Sri Lanka, the stakes are much higher. A win in Lahore would end the race for the second final spot right away. It would set up a Pakistan against Sri Lanka final on Saturday 31 October.
A loss would not end Sri Lanka’s hopes, but it would make their task much harder. They would then have to beat England on Thursday 29 October to reach the final. That would turn the last group match into a must-win game for them.
Pakistan in fine form
Pakistan have looked settled and confident through the tri-series. Three wins from three matches is a strong record in any series, and it has been built on good work with both bat and ball.
Shadab Khan has been at the heart of their success. His unbeaten 113 against England on Sunday was the standout knock of the series so far. It came in a tight chase and showed his value as a player who can change a game with the bat.
The win over England also showed the depth in the Pakistan side. A one-wicket win is never easy, and it takes calm heads at the end of an innings to get over the line. Pakistan found a way to do it, and that will give them belief going into the final.
The hosts will also take heart from their earlier win over Sri Lanka in this series. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opener on 18 October in Rawalpindi, so they know they can get the better of Tuesday’s opponents.
Sri Lanka’s route to the final
Sri Lanka have shown they can score big runs in this series. After their defeat to Pakistan in the opener, they chased 430 against England, a huge total that showed the strength of their batting.
That chase will give Sri Lanka confidence as they head to Lahore. They know their batters can put up big scores, and they will need that firepower again against a Pakistan side that is full of confidence.
The visitors will also know that the task in front of them is simple. Win on Tuesday and they are in the final. There is no need to think about net run rate or other results. The prize is right there for them to take.
But they will have to do it against a team that has beaten them already in this series. Pakistan won the opener in Rawalpindi by 37 runs, and Sri Lanka will need to find a way to turn that result around in Lahore.
How to watch
The match starts at 1:00 pm PKT on Tuesday 27 October, with the toss at 12:30 pm. The game is being played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Fans in Pakistan can watch the match live on PTV Sports. The game is a day match, so it will run through the afternoon and finish in the evening.
The series so far
The tri-series has given fans plenty to enjoy. Pakistan have been the form team, winning all three of their matches and booking their place in the final with a game to spare.
Sri Lanka have mixed good batting with a defeat in the opener, and their chase of 430 against England was one of the big moments of the series so far. England are still in the race too, with their match against Sri Lanka on Thursday 29 October set to be a key game if Sri Lanka lose on Tuesday.
The final takes place on Saturday 31 October, and Pakistan already know they will be there. Tuesday’s match in Lahore will go a long way to deciding who joins them.
For Sri Lanka, it is a chance to book a final spot with a game to spare. For Pakistan, it is a chance to make it four wins from four and to head into the final in the best possible shape.
