Pakistan’s pursuit began on shaky ground as they lost Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam early, leaving the hosts in a precarious position. However, a resilient 149-run partnership between Zaman and 19-year-old Saad Baig, who contributed a composed 74 off 75 balls, shifted the momentum back in Pakistan's favour. Zaman’s 99-ball innings, which featured 11 fours and six sixes, proved the decisive factor in the contest.
A Dramatic Finish at Gaddafi Stadium
The chase remained tense even after Zaman was clean-bowled by Dilshan Madushanka, who finished with figures of 3-63. Sri Lanka’s bowling attack struggled to control the ball due to heavy dew, a factor that allowed the young duo of Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz to keep the required run rate manageable. Minhas, named man-of-the-series, played a vital role with a robust 61 off 31 balls.
The match reached a frantic conclusion when Asitha Fernando dismissed Minhas and Faheem Ashraf with consecutive deliveries, leaving Pakistan needing just two runs for victory. Captain
Mendis Leads Sri Lanka’s Batting Effort
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka posted a formidable 325-8, anchored by
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis acknowledged that his side was likely 25 to 30 runs short of a winning total, citing fielding errors as a primary reason for the defeat. While the visitors were disappointed to fall short in the final, they leave the tournament with several positives, including the emergence of new batting talent. For Pakistan, the victory serves as a testament to their depth and ability to recover from early collapses in major tournament fixtures.
