Pakistan produced one of the most memorable run chases in ODI tournament final history, defeating Sri Lanka by three wickets in Lahore after successfully hunting down a target of 326. Fakhar Zaman stood at the centre of the victory, smashing 127 from 99 balls in a performance that placed Pakistan alongside India in the record books.

The target of 326 is now the joint highest successfully chased in an ODI tournament final. Pakistan matched India’s famous chase of 326 against England in the 2002 NatWest Tri Series final. The Lahore contest also produced 656 runs, making it the highest match aggregate ever recorded in an ODI tournament final and surpassing the 651 runs scored in that England and India classic.

It was a night built for numbers. And Fakhar delivered again.

The left handed opener scored his second century in just three ODI finals, having previously struck a famous hundred against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. Alongside Saeed Anwar, Fakhar is now the only Pakistan batter to score multiple centuries in ODI finals.

His record in those matches underlines his ability to perform on major occasions. Across three ODI finals, Fakhar has scored 251 runs at an average of 83.66 and a strike rate of 114.09. Saeed Anwar, Pakistan’s other multiple ODI final centurion, scored 914 runs across 29 finals, with two centuries and four half centuries.

Fakhar also strengthened his reputation as Pakistan’s specialist in big chases. His century against Sri Lanka was his fourth ODI hundred while chasing a target of more than 300 runs. No Pakistan batter has scored more centuries in such situations. He moved ahead of Babar Azam and Younis Khan, who have three centuries each in successful 300 plus run chases.

Another major milestone arrived during the innings.

Fakhar completed 4,000 ODI runs for Pakistan in 96 innings, becoming the country’s second fastest batter to reach the mark behind Babar, who achieved it in 82 innings. In 97 ODIs, Fakhar has now scored 4,019 runs at an average of 44.65, including 12 centuries and 19 half centuries. His highest score remains an unbeaten 210.

Sri Lanka had earlier appeared to set Pakistan an almost impossible task.

After Pakistan chose to bowl first, Sri Lanka recovered through an 87 run opening partnership between Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis. Fernando scored 38, while Kamindu produced the innings of his ODI career, making 131 from 128 balls for his maiden century.

Kamindu then shared a 146 run partnership for the third wicket with Pavan Rathnayake, who scored 77 from 65 balls. Their efforts lifted Sri Lanka to 325 for eight from 50 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Salman Agha each took two wickets.

Kamindu’s 131 was Sri Lanka’s third highest individual score in an ODI final. Only Sanath Jayasuriya’s 189 against India in the 2000 Coca Cola Champions Trophy final and Marvan Atapattu’s unbeaten 132 against England in the 1998 Emirates Triangular Tournament final stand above it.

Rathnayake also finished the tournament with outstanding numbers. His 77 in the final took his tri series tally to 427 runs at an average of 106.75 and a strike rate of 122.7. He finished as the tournament’s leading run scorer with two centuries and two half centuries.

Pakistan’s chase began badly. They slipped to 14 for two.

Then Fakhar and Saad Baig changed the contest.

The pair added 149 runs, with Saad contributing 74 from 75 balls. Fakhar attacked relentlessly, hitting 11 fours and six sixes before falling for 127. Pakistan still required 106 runs, leaving the match finely balanced.

Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas finished the job.

Hasan remained unbeaten on 37 from 45 balls, while Minhas provided the late acceleration with a stunning 61 from only 31 deliveries, including three fours and four sixes. Pakistan reached the target with nine balls remaining, completing a chase that combined composure, power and a place in ODI history.

The result gave Pakistan a major triumph at Gaddafi Stadium. Fakhar’s innings gave the final its defining moment, while the record books confirmed just how extraordinary the night had become.