24 years later: Pakistan recreate India's Lord's magic with record-equalling chase

NewsSports NewsCricket News24 years later: Pakistan recreate India's Lord's magic with record-equalling chase 24 years later: Pakistan recreate India's Lord's magic with record-equalling chase Edited by Amit Kumar / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Nov 01, 2026, 08:26 IST Pakistan equalled India's famous record against England in the 2002 NatWest Series final at Lord's.

(Image credit: Agencies) Pakistan produced a memorable run chase to beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in the One-Day International tri-series final in Lahore on Saturday. Fakhar Zaman led the charge with a brilliant century as the hosts chased down a target of 326 with nine balls to spare.Pakistan finished on 331 for seven in 48.3 overs to register the joint-highest successful chase in an ODI final.

Watch Tilak Varma press conference: India’s 3-0 lead, batting approach & more Pakistan equalled India's famous record against England in the 2002 NatWest Series final at Lord's.The victory also ended Pakistan's long wait for an ODI tri-series title.

They last won one in 2008, when they defeated India in the Kitply Cup final in Bangladesh.Pakistan equal India's famous 2002 record Pakistan's successful chase of 326 is now level with India's famous run chase against England in the 2002 NatWest Series final.India had chased down England's target of 326 at Lord's to win the final by two wickets in one of the most memorable matches in their ODI history.Mohammad Kaif played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 87, while Yuvraj Singh scored 69.

The two shared a crucial partnership after India had lost five wickets with the team still needing plenty of runs.Zaheer Khan and Kaif eventually took India home in a thrilling finish, with two runs needed from the final five balls.

India completed the chase with three balls remaining.More than two decades later, Pakistan matched that achievement with another successful chase of 326 in an ODI final.Zaman leads Pakistan's chase with a century Pakistan did not have the best start to their chase.

Dilshan Madushanka struck twice in the powerplay, including the important wicket of Babar Azam, who departed for a five-ball duck.However, Fakhar Zaman and Saad Baig brought Pakistan back into the contest with a 149-run partnership.Baig scored 74 off 75 balls and registered his maiden ODI half-century before Maheesh Theekshana ended his innings.Zaman continued to attack and brought up his 12th ODI century.

He scored 127 off just 99 balls to keep Pakistan on course.The left-hander also shared a quick 57-run stand with Salman Agha, who contributed 17 before Madushanka dismissed him.Pakistan were reduced to 230 for five, but Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz ensured there was no late collapse.Minhas, Nawaz finish the job With the match still in the balance, Minhas and Nawaz joined hands to put together a match-winning 94-run partnership.Minhas scored a valuable half-century, providing the finishing push Pakistan needed after Zaman's dismissal.The hosts eventually reached 331 for seven in 48.3 overs to complete a memorable victory in front of their home crowd.Kamindu Mendis, Rathnayake power Sri Lanka to 325Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a strong total of 325 for eight after being asked to bat first.Kamindu Mendis was the star of their innings, scoring 131 off 128 balls.

Pavan Rathnayake also played an important role with a fluent 77.The two shared a 146-run partnership off 119 deliveries to put Sri Lanka in a strong position.Kamindu brought up his maiden ODI century and struck 12 fours and two sixes during his impressive knock.Sri Lanka had made a positive start, with Avishka Fernando and Kamindu adding 51 runs in the powerplay.

Fernando's dismissal in the 18th over ended the opening partnership.Pakistan captain Kusal Mendis also fell soon after, leaving Sri Lanka at 109 for two.Pakistan bowlers fight back at the death Just when Sri Lanka looked set for a total of more than 340, Pakistan's bowlers pulled things back in the final overs.Join conversation Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Dasun Shanaka and Rathnayake within two overs to put pressure on the visitors.

Afridi finished with two wickets for 50 runs.Sahan Arachchige added a quick 15 off 12 balls before Naseem Shah dismissed him.Pakistan's late fightback restricted Sri Lanka to 325 for eight, a total that eventually proved insufficient against Zaman's century and the contributions from Minhas and Nawaz.Pakistan end long wait for tri-series title The victory gave Pakistan their first ODI tri-series title since 2008.They also made amends for their defeat to New Zealand in the final of a home tri-series in 2025.This time, Pakistan held their nerve in a high-scoring final and produced a historic chase to lift the trophy.

Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app. From cricket to Olympic sports, Amit Kumar covers it all for The Times of India. He began his journalism career with CricketNext and CNN-News18 Sports before moving to NDTV.

He now writes on a wide range of sports for Times of India, with a focus on stories, interviews and the people behind the headlines. Follow him on X: @amitkumar104 ‘Gyanesh Won’t Survive As CEC’: Rahul Gandhi’s BIG Warning At Mock Impeachment 'Treason': Kharge BLASTS CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Lists 6 Charges At INDIA Bloc's Mock Parliament