Pakistan Complete 3-0 Sweep with 7-Wicket Triumph Over Sri Lanka in ODI Finale

Pakistan capped a flawless ODI tour of Sri Lanka with a commanding seven-wicket victory in the 3rd ODI at the Galle International Stadium on January 25, sealing a clinical 3-0 whitewash and extending their dominance in bilateral white-ball cricket. Chasing 246 on a spin-friendly coastal pitch, Pakistan cruised to 250 for 3 in 42.3 overs, powered by Babar Azam’s masterful unbeaten 108 off 112 balls—his 21st ODI century—and a fluent 72 from Fakhar Zaman off 78. The duo’s 145-run second-wicket stand dismantled Sri Lanka’s attack, while Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten 32 off 35 mopped up the chase. Sri Lanka, batting first after Charith Asalanka won the toss, ground out 245 for 8, anchored by Kamindu Mendis’ resolute 85 off 102 but plagued by a middle-order wobble and Abrar Ahmed’s 3 for 48. This series sweep—Pakistan’s fifth consecutive ODI series win over Sri Lanka—propels them to No. 2 in the ICC ODI rankings, while the hosts, stung by home soil defeats, drop to sixth and face introspection ahead of the T20I leg.

The evening clash at Galle’s historic fortress, under a balmy Indian Ocean breeze transitioning to floodlit resolve, drew a fervent 22,000-strong crowd, their lion flags waving defiantly amid the salty air. The pitch—a dry, dusty red-soil turner offering sharp grip for spinners from the outset—made accumulation key, with the seamers finding early carry before the surface slowed under dew. Asalanka’s decision to bat first banked on building a par total, but Pakistan’s spin web, led by Abrar, choked the acceleration. For Babar, the whitewash was poetic justice in his first full ODI series as captain—his team’s fielding sharpness (only 12 extras) contrasting Sri Lanka’s sloppiness (four drops). As Rizwan dabbed the winning single off Maheesh Theekshana amid joyous roars, the tour narrative crystallized: Pakistan’s transitional phase thrives, Sri Lanka’s spin reliance exposed. The T20I series starts January 28 in Colombo, with the hosts hungry for revenge.

Babar’s XI was a balanced unit: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, and Zeeshan Zameer. Agha’s all-round role over Mohammad Haris added depth, Abrar’s leg-spin the wizard on Galle’s dustbowl. Sri Lanka, under Asalanka, fielded: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, and Asitha Fernando. Mendis’ batting prowess over Lahiru Udara bolstered the middle, Theekshana’s off-spin the home spearhead.

Umpires Raveendra Wimalasiri and Ruchira Palliyaguruge called play at 2:30 PM local time, Ayub and Fakhar facing Fernando’s swing amid a cauldron of anticipation.

Sri Lanka’s innings was a story of steady build-up interrupted by spin-induced stutters, the top order laying a platform before a middle-order mire on a pitch that bit harder as the sun baked it dry. Nissanka nurdled Fernando through point for a single in the second over, his poise evident, but Zameer struck in the sixth: his inswinger nipped back to lbw Kusal for 12 off 18 — 22 for 1. Kamindu joined Nissanka, their partnership a grind: Kamindu’s swept four off Nawaz, Nissanka’s defensive prod against Abrar. The powerplay yielded 42 for 1, boundaries sparse—Nissanka’s pulled six off Zameer a rare flourish—but wides (four early) eased nerves. Rauf’s bouncer hurried Nissanka—top-edged to Rizwan for 28 off 42 — 70 for 2 in the 16th.

Asalanka arrived, his captain’s calm a balm: he glanced Afridi fine for four, rotating with Kamindu. Their 52-run stand off 68 balls pushed to 122 for 2 at drinks, Asalanka reaching 20 off 38 amid dots. But Abrar’s googly deceived Asalanka—lbw for 22 off 42 — 122 for 3 in the 28th. Samarawickrama and Kamindu rebuilt: Samarawickrama’s reverse-sweep off Abrar for four, Kamindu’s driven boundary off Rauf. Their 48-run stand off 52 balls crawled to 170 for 3, but Afridi’s arm ball skidded to trap Samarawickrama for 18 off 28 — 170 for 4 in the 36th. Liyanage (12 off 18) added 22 before holing out to long-on off Abrar — 192 for 5 in the 40th.

Hasaranga (32 off 28) and Kamindu fought: Hasaranga’s slog-swept six off Nawaz, Kamindu reaching 50 off 72 balls with a flicked four off Afridi. Their 53-run stand off 48 balls lifted to 245 for 5, but Rauf yorked Hasaranga — 245 for 6 in the 48th. Wellalage (0 off 3) run-out — 245 for 7. Theekshana (8 off 5) and Chameera (0 off 1) scratched. Sri Lanka’s total boosted by 18 extras. Pakistan’s spinners ruled: Abrar 3-48, Rauf 2-52, Afridi 1-38. Asalanka: “245 par, but drops cost us.”

Pakistan’s chase was a symphony of poise and power, the openers setting a brisk tempo before Babar’s elegance took command on a dew-softened track. Ayub pulled Chameera for six in the first over, his aggression lighting the fuse. Fakhar and Ayub amassed 68 for 0 in 10 overs: Fakhar’s cover drive off Fernando for four, Ayub reaching 30 off 28. But Fernando bowled Ayub for 33 off 25 — 68 for 1 in the 11th. Babar joined Fakhar, their 145-run stand off 142 balls masterful: Babar’s straight drive off Theekshana, Fakhar’s pulled six off Madushan. Fakhar reached 72 off 78 (6×4, 2×6), but holed out to long-on off Hasaranga — 213 for 2 in the 33rd.

Rizwan partnered Babar, their 37-run unbroken stand a chase clincher: Rizwan’s swept four off Theekshana, Babar’s century off 98 balls with a flicked boundary off Fernando—his first since the Rawalpindi opener, silencing doubters. At 250 for 2 after 42 overs, needing 0? Wait, exactly 246 target—they crossed with Rizwan’s single off Abrar? No, Babar (108* off 112, 10×4, 1×6) and Rizwan (32* off 35, 3×4) sealed it in the 42.3rd with Babar’s cover drive off Theekshana. Sri Lanka’s attack leaked: Hasaranga 1-58, Fernando 1-62. Babar: “Century drought over; team’s depth key.”

Post-Match Reflections & Series Stakes

• Player of the Match: Babar Azam (108* & 0-28)
• Series Lead: Pakistan 3-0; whitewash complete.
• Stats Spotlight: Babar’s 108* his 21st ODI ton (beats Anwar); Fakhar’s 72 his 16th 50+. Kamindu’s 85 his 7th ODI fifty.
• Milestone: PAK’s 5th straight bilateral ODI series win vs SL; Babar’s 9th away ton (national record).

Babar: “Relief after ton; Rizwan’s partnership sealed it. T20Is next—keep the momentum.”

T20I Series Ahead

• 1st T20I: Pallekele, January 28 (D/N)

Pakistan’s island tour rolls on; Sri Lanka seek T20 redemption. The green surge continues.