PAK vs SL Final Match Prediction, Pitch Report, Playing XI & Fantasy Team – Who Will Win Today’s Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Final? – Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026

PAK vs SL Match Preview
Pakistan and Sri Lanka meet in the final of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. For this PAK vs SL match prediction, Pakistan start as slight favourites at home after topping the table with three wins.
The two teams have one win each against each other in this series. Pakistan won the opener by 37 runs, but Sri Lanka hit back hard, bowling Pakistan out for 110 and winning by 8 wickets.
Sri Lanka lost to England in their last game, but Pavan Rathnayake has been the star of the series. He has 574 runs at an average of 71.75 in his last 10 ODIs, which makes him the top name in any PAK vs SL fantasy prediction.
Pakistan’s bowling has led the way. Shaheen Afridi has 19 wickets, and spinner Arafat Minhas has 16 at an economy of just 4.08.
PAK vs SL Match Details
Here are the key details for the PAK vs SL Final.
|
Detail |
Info |
|
Match |
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka — Final (D/N) |
|
Date & Time |
October 31, 2026, 1:30 PM IST |
|
Venue |
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
|
Series |
Pakistan ODI Tri-Series |
|
Live Streaming |
Ten Sports, FanCode (India) |
PAK vs SL Pitch Report – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Lahore’s pitch changes a lot from game to game, but the last one was a batting paradise. England made 386/5, the highest ODI total ever at this ground, and Sri Lanka replied with 331.
Waqar Younis said that pitch had less grass and was rolled very hard. But just two days earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 110 here. The three first-innings totals in Lahore this series were 241, 110 and 386.
Fast bowlers took all five wickets in England’s 386, while Liam Dawson took 4/49 with spin later on. So pacers strike early, and spinners matter more as the game goes on. Over 93 ODIs, the record is very close, with 47 wins batting first and 44 chasing.
PAK vs SL Weather Report – Lahore
The forecast for Saturday in Lahore is dry and sunny, with a 0% chance of rain, so we should get a full final. It will be warm at around 29°C in the afternoon, dropping to about 16°C at night. The cooler evening could bring some dew in the second innings.
PAK vs SL Recent Form
The recent ODI results of both teams provide some context ahead of the final.
|
Team |
Recent Performance (Latest Match First) |
|
Pakistan |
L W W W W |
|
Sri Lanka |
L W W L L |
Data Source: ESPNcricinfo
PAK vs SL Head-to-Head Record
Pakistan have won four of the last five ODIs against Sri Lanka, but Sri Lanka won the most recent one easily.
|
Date |
Result |
Margin |
|
27-Oct-2026 |
Sri Lanka won |
8 wickets (191 balls remaining) |
|
18-Oct-2026 |
Pakistan won |
37 runs |
|
16-Nov-2025 |
Pakistan won |
6 wickets (32 balls remaining) |
|
14-Nov-2025 |
Pakistan won |
8 wickets (10 balls remaining) |
|
11-Nov-2025 |
Pakistan won |
6 runs |
Data Source: ESPNcricinfo
PAK vs SL Probable Playing XI
The probable playing XIs for the Final are as follows.
Pakistan:
Maaz Sadaqat, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (WK), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi (C), Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Sri Lanka:
Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (C, WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
Top Picks for PAK vs SL Fantasy Prediction
These players stand out based on their recent performances and current statistics.
Top Batting Picks
- Pavan Rathnayake (SL, BAT) — 574 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 71.75. The top run-scorer in this contest by a distance.
- Kusal Mendis (SL, BAT/WK) — 405 runs in his last 10 ODIs at a strike rate of 110.05. Keeps wicket too, so he can earn catch points.
- Salman Agha (PAK, ALL) — 361 runs in his last 10 ODIs. Scored a century against Sri Lanka in the series opener.
- Babar Azam (PAK, BAT) — 243 runs in his last 7 ODIs at an average of 34.71.
Top Bowling Picks
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (PAK, BOWL) — 19 wickets in his last 10 ODIs at an economy of 4.93. The leading wicket-taker in this contest.
- Arafat Minhas (PAK, ALL) — 16 wickets in his last 7 ODIs at an economy of 4.08. The tightest bowler in this match.
- Asitha Fernando (SL, BOWL) — 15 wickets in his last 9 ODIs. Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker.
- Dilshan Madushanka (SL, BOWL) — 12 wickets in his last 7 ODIs. Took 5/34 against Pakistan at this ground four days ago.
Fantasy Captain and Vice-Captain Choices
For Fantasy Team 1
Pavan Rathnayake (Captain):
He has 574 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 71.75, the best of anyone in this match. On a ground where the last game produced 717 runs, he’s the safest captain.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Vice-Captain):
He has 19 wickets in his last 10 ODIs, the most of anyone here. He took 4/46 at this ground against England, and he bowls in the key overs at the start and the end.
For Fantasy Team 2
Arafat Minhas (Captain):
He has 16 wickets in his last 7 ODIs at an economy of just 4.08, and he can also bat. Most people will pick Rathnayake or Shaheen as captain, so Minhas gives you a real edge if the pitch helps spin.
Dilshan Madushanka (Vice-Captain):
He took 5/34 against Pakistan at this ground just four days ago and has 12 wickets in his last 7 ODIs. If Sri Lanka bowl first and strike early again, he could be the star of the final.
PAK vs SL Fantasy Team 1
A safe team built around the top run-scorer and the top wicket-taker in this match.
|
Role |
Player |
|
WK |
Kusal Mendis |
|
BAT |
Pavan Rathnayake (C) · Babar Azam |
|
ALL |
Salman Agha · Arafat Minhas · Shadab Khan · Dunith Wellalage |
|
BOWL |
Shaheen Shah Afridi (VC) · Haris Rauf · Asitha Fernando · Dilshan Madushanka |
PAK vs SL Fantasy Team 2
A riskier team built around the bowlers on both sides, for grand leagues.
|
Role |
Player |
|
WK |
Kusal Mendis |
|
BAT |
Pavan Rathnayake · Babar Azam |
|
ALL |
Arafat Minhas (C) · Salman Agha · Shadab Khan · Dunith Wellalage · Sahan Arachchige |
|
BOWL |
Dilshan Madushanka (VC) · Shaheen Shah Afridi · Asitha Fernando |
PAK vs SL Toss Prediction
Toss Prediction: Bat first
England made 386 batting first in the last game here, on a hard, flat pitch. If the final is played on a similar strip, a big total puts real pressure on the chasing side. Spin also played a bigger role later in that game. Dew could help chasing a little at night, so this is a close call.
Read Also: Bat First or Bowl First? A Complete Guide to Making the Right Toss Decision in Cricket
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Today Match Prediction
Prediction: Pakistan to Win
Pakistan topped the table with three wins and have the best bowling in this series. Shaheen and Minhas have been very hard to score off, and home support in a final counts for a lot.
But Sri Lanka have the in-form batter in Rathnayake, and they already bowled Pakistan out for 110 in Lahore. If Pakistan’s top order struggles again, Sri Lanka can win this. It should be a close final, but Pakistan have a slight edge.
For Fantasy Team 1, Pavan Rathnayake is the safest captain, with 574 runs at an average of 71.75 in his last 10 ODIs. For Fantasy Team 2, Arafat Minhas is a strong risky pick with 16 wickets at an economy of 4.08.
Pakistan have a slight edge after topping the table and playing at home. But Sri Lanka beat them easily in Lahore four days ago, so this could go either way.
The toss prediction is to bat first. England made 386 batting first on the last Lahore pitch, and a big total puts pressure on the chasing side in a final.
It was a great batting pitch. England made 386/5, the highest ODI total ever at Gaddafi Stadium, and Sri Lanka replied with 331. But Pakistan were bowled out for 110 here just two days earlier, so the pitch can change a lot.
It’s 1-1. Pakistan won the opener by 37 runs in Rawalpindi, and Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets in Lahore on October 27.