Emerging Sri Lankan batsman Pawan Ratnaik has grabbed the most attention in the ongoing tri-nation ODI series in Pakistan. Ratnaik, who scored runs in every match, also scored a brilliant half-century against Pakistan in the final. However, the star of Sri Lanka’s innings in this title match was veteran batsman Kamindu Mendis, who scored his maiden ODI century. Based on Mendis’s century, Sri Lanka posted a strong score of 325 runs in the final.
Kamindu Mendis scored a century
Batting first, Sri Lankan opener Kamindu Mendis scored the century in the final played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, October 31. He shared an 87-run partnership with his opening partner Avishka Fernando. Then, after captain Kusal Mendis was dismissed early, he partnered with Pawan Ratnayake. The duo put on a brilliant 146-run stand for the third wicket, during which Mendis completed his century. Mendis completed his first ODI century in 107 balls.
Kamindu Mendis smashes his maiden ODI century in the Tri-Series final!
His brilliant knock helps Sri Lanka post 325 against Pakistan.
#KaminduMendis #PAKvsSL #CricketMatlabCREX https://t.co/njE5W09Woi
— CREX (@Crex_live) October 31, 2026
First ODI century after seven years of debut
Left-handed batsman Kamindu Mendis took seven years to reach this century. Mendis made his ODI debut in 2019. However, he played only seven matches till 2022. He then returned to the Sri Lankan team in this format in 2024 and has been playing consistently ever since. After two strong innings in this series, Mendis finally ended his wait for a century in ODI cricket as well. Mendis, who has already made a mark in Test cricket, achieved this feat in his 37th ODI. He was dismissed after scoring 131 off 128 balls, which included 12 fours and two sixes.
Pawan Ratnayake shone again
Pawan Ratnaike, who has scored two centuries in the series, missed out on the feat for the third time. However, the batsman played a brilliant innings of 77 runs off 65 balls, which saw Sri Lanka set a mammoth target of 326 runs for Pakistan in the final. Ratnaik ended the series with the highest total of 427 runs, including two centuries and two half-centuries. No other batsman could reach 400 runs.
