Kamindu's maiden ODI ton sets Pakistan 326 in the tri-series final

Sri Lanka posted 325 for 8 in the tri-series final against Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, setting a target of 326. Kamindu Mendis struck his maiden ODI century, 131 off 128 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes, more than doubling his previous ODI best of 64. On a slow-paced surface, his strike rate of about 102.3 reads as a controlled, pitch-adjusted anchor innings, with roughly 46 percent of his runs coming in boundaries and the rest through strike rotation. An opening stand of 87 in 18 overs, built around Avishka Fernando's 38, was broken when Salman Agha removed both Avishka and Kusal Mendis for 8. Kamindu then added 146 for the third wicket with Pavan Rathnayake, who made 77. Pakistan clawed back the final five overs, taking 3 wickets for 38 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi, the captain, took 2 for 50, dismissing Kamindu and Shanaka (17) within two overs; Salman Agha returned 2 for 44 as the most economical bowler, while Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah took two wickets each. Pakistan won the toss and chose to field, but the toss did not prove decisive. The analysis argues that 325 for 8 understates the platform Sri Lanka built, exposes a finishing gap in their line-up, and highlights Pakistan's pattern of taking wickets while conceding heavily. Kamindu's ton is framed as a genuine breakthrough signal rather than proven trend, given the single-innings sample and untested overseas conditions. No governance, integrity or DRS controversy is referenced; Shaheen's dual role as captain and lead bowler is flagged as the primary personnel risk, with a medium overall risk rating.