Pakistan are aiming to win a tri-series on home soil for the first time but face a stiff challenge from party poopers Sri Lanka in the final in Lahore on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The hosts lost their three previous tri-series on home turf, finishing runners-up to Australia in 1994, Sri Lanka in 2004 and New Zealand last year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This time, Pakistan have won three matches on the trot -- two against England and one against Sri Lanka -- before losing to the latter in their final group game, bowled out for just 110.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Head coach Mike Hesson admitted his side has yet to play at their best.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"To get three wins in a row was a good sign but I still don't think we have played our best game yet," said Hesson.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Hopefully we are saving that for the final."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan will hope misfiring opener Fakhar Zaman and star batter Babar Azam return to form, having scored 31 and 118 respectively in four matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka shocked England last week by chasing down 430 -- the second-highest target in ODI history -- and gave them another scare in pursuit of a 387-run target before losing by 55 runs on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Skipper Kusal Mendis was bullish ahead of the weekend, saying: "We are quite confident going into the final."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Although the loss against England was disappointing, we have taken some valuable lessons from that game."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Sri Lanka, middle-order batter Pavan Rathnayake has been in sublime form, scoring two centuries against England and 79 runs against Pakistan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mendis, whose side punctured the home atmosphere when they beat Pakistan by eight wickets at the same venue on Tuesday, was not ready to take the home team lightly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Pakistan are a very good side, and playing them in their own conditions makes them a challenging opponent and we can never underestimate them," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n