Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman revealed that he was waiting for the right moment to deliver a big innings after going through four matches without a significant score. His century helped the hosts match India's famous 2002 Lord's record for the joint-highest successful run chase in an ODI final.

Zaman smashed 127 off 99 balls as Pakistan chased down a target of 326 against Sri Lanka in the tri-series final at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, October 31. The hosts, led by Shaheen Afridi, finished at 331 for seven in 48.3 overs, winning by three wickets with nine balls to spare and lifting the trophy.

'I Was Just Waiting for That Moment' – Fakhar Zaman

Speaking after winning the Player of the Match award, Fakhar Zaman admitted that he was not at his best initially but continued to trust his preparation. Zaman also stated that he had been putting in the effort throughout the tournament but had not managed to turn his form into runs before the final.

"No, look, I've played enough cricket now to know that when it's my day and the ball starts coming nicely off my bat, I'll score big. So I was just waiting for that moment. I didn't do anything particularly different from the way I had approached the previous four matches."

"I prepared for this game in exactly the same way. But that's the thing: when you score runs, we start talking about how mentally ready you were, how your fitness was and all of that. I prepared for this match in the same way I had prepared for the other games. Luckily, the runs came today," Zaman said.

"Look, the way my first four matches had gone, I felt a good performance was due, and I was putting in the effort. But cricket is such a game that sometimes you're in really good touch, but the runs just don't come. Even today, I was struggling a little at the start, but luckily the runs came, and that's a good thing for me. Whenever there is a final, I seem to score runs," he said.

'His Was the Best Innings of the Match' – Fakhar Zaman

Pakistan lost Babar Azam for a five-ball duck after Dilshan Madushanka struck early in the chase. The Sri Lankan pacer picked up another wicket in the powerplay, putting the hosts under pressure. Fakhar Zaman then joined Saad Baig, and the pair steadied the innings with a 149-run partnership.

Baig scored 74 off 75 balls, registering his maiden ODI half-century. Zaman praised the youngster's positive approach, saying that his scoring rate allowed him to settle in and avoid taking unnecessary risks.

"I've played domestic cricket with him as well, and he's a very talented player. Even today, when I was struggling at that stage, he came in and scored quite quickly. That allowed me to relax and take my time. If he had also played slowly like me, perhaps I would have tried to take a few more chances, and if you take those chances, you can end up losing your wicket. So the credit goes to him for the way he started and the way he built his innings. In my opinion, his was the best innings of the match," Zaman said.

"Absolutely. Look, whatever performances you put in throughout the tournament, you do them with the aim of winning the trophy. And when you score runs in the final, the happiness is even greater. I consider myself lucky that I managed to score runs in the final today," he said.

Pakistan Match India's Famous 2002 Lord's Record

Fakhar Zaman's century helped Pakistan complete the joint-highest successful chase in an ODI final. Their target of 326 matched the total India chased against England in the 2002 NatWest Series final at Lord's, where the team won by two wickets.

The victory gave Pakistan their first ODI tri-series title since 2008, when they defeated India in the Kitply Cup final in Bangladesh. It also helped them make amends for their defeat to New Zealand in the 2025 home tri-series final.

Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 325 for eight after a strong third-wicket partnership between Kamindu Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake. Mendis scored 131 off 128 balls, while Rathnayake contributed 77 as the pair added 146 runs. Pakistan fought back in the final overs, with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking two wickets for 50 runs.