Pakistan have been fined five per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during their victory over Sri Lanka in the 2026 ODI tri-series final. Captain Shaheen Afridi pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Pakistan chased down a target of 326 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on October 31, winning by three wickets with nine balls to spare. The victory secured their second ODI tri-series title, nearly two decades after their first triumph in 2008. They suffered a defeat in the final against New Zealand in 2025.
Pakistan Fined 5% of Match Fee for Slow Over-Rate in Tri-Series Final
Match referee Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel found Pakistan one over short after considering the time allowances. On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Wayne Knights, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Rashid Riaz levelled the charge.
The offence falls under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with minimum over-rate violations. Under the rule, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their team fails to bowl within the allotted time.
Shaheen Shah Afridi pleaded guilty and accepted the proposed sanction, avoiding the need for a formal hearing.
Fakhar Zaman's Century Stand Helps Pakistan Chase 326
Sri Lanka posted 325/8 after winning the toss and batting first at the Gaddafi Stadium. Kamindu Mendis top-scored with 131 off 128 balls, while Pavan Rathnayake scored 77. The pair added 146 runs for the third wicket to put Sri Lanka in a strong position.
Shaheen Afridi was the hosts' most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 50 runs. However, the hosts responded with a strong batting performance, led by Fakhar Zaman, who scored his 12th ODI century.
The left-hander struck 127 off 99 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and six sixes to keep the hosts in the chase. His innings laid the foundation for the pursuit, although Salman Agha's dismissal for 17 left the lower order with work to do.
Pakistan Equal India's 2002 NatWest Series Record at Lord's
Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz then added 94 runs in a decisive partnership to steady the innings and take the hosts across the line. The hosts completed the chase with three wickets and nine balls remaining.
The victory also ended their wait for another tri-series title. Their previous triumph came in 2008, when they defeated India in the Kitply Cup final in Bangladesh. The latest win also provided redemption after their defeat to New Zealand in the 2025 home tri-series final.
Pakistan's successful chase of 326 equalled the highest target ever chased down in an ODI final. India had set the benchmark during the 2002 NatWest Series final against England at Lord's, where they also chased 326 to win by two wickets.
India looked in trouble during that final before Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh produced a memorable recovery. Yuvraj scored 69, while Kaif remained unbeaten on 87 to guide India to a famous victory.
