Pakistan’s batting collapse against Sri Lanka in the ongoing ODI tri-nation series has sparked a storm of reactions on social media, with cricket fans accusing the hosts of deliberately losing the match to help Sri Lanka qualify for the final at England’s expense.

Pakistan were bowled out for just 110 in 25.3 overs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, October 27, leaving fans questioning their performance after their dramatic victory over England just two days earlier.

The collapse quickly became a talking point on social media, with some users suggesting Pakistan were trying to ensure Sri Lanka reached the October 31 final. 

ALSO READ: Abhishek Sharma's Century-Laden Blitz Powers India To Six-Wicket Win, Seal Series vs New Zealand

Others questioned why a team that had produced a remarkable comeback against England was struggling so badly against Sri Lanka. However, the allegations of deliberate underperformance remain unsubstantiated, with the collapse itself providing no evidence of match manipulation.

Pakistan Suffer Batting Collapse Against Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first in the fifth match of the tri-nation series. Their decision paid off as Pakistan's batting line-up failed to build a competitive total, with Dilshan Madushanka leading the bowling attack with figures of five wickets for 34 runs in 8.3 overs.

Babar Azam was Pakistan's highest scorer with 29 runs, but the rest of the batting order failed to provide the resistance needed to take the hosts to a respectable total. Pakistan were eventually dismissed for 110 in just 25.3 overs, putting Sri Lanka in a strong position to chase down the target.

That result had already confirmed Pakistan's place in the final. Their collapse against Sri Lanka therefore became a major talking point, particularly because the outcome could determine England's fate in the tournament.

Fan Reactions To Pakistan's Collapse

Pakistan's dramatic collapse triggered a wave of reactions from cricket fans online. Some suggested that the hosts were helping Sri Lanka reach the final, while others claimed Pakistan were attempting to prevent England from progressing.

Some fans pointed to Pakistan's extraordinary comeback against England as a contrast to their performance against Sri Lanka, questioning the sharp difference between the two outings. 

However, these reactions represent the opinions of social media users and do not establish that Pakistan deliberately attempted to lose the match.

How Pakistan's Defeat Could Affect England's Final Hopes

The three-team ODI tri-nation series features Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England, with the top two teams qualifying for the final scheduled for October 31 in Lahore.

Pakistan entered the match having won all three of their previous games. They defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the tournament opener, beat England by 87 runs in their second outing and then completed the remarkable one-wicket win over England on October 25.

ALSO READ: Abhishek Sharma Creates History, Equals Suryakumar Yadav's Record With 35-Ball Ton vs New Zealand

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, had beaten England by two wickets in a remarkable high-scoring contest on October 22, chasing down 430 after Harry Brook's historic double century.

England's third consecutive defeat against Pakistan left their qualification hopes hanging by a thread. They needed Pakistan to defeat Sri Lanka today before taking on Sri Lanka themselves in their final league match on October 29.

A Sri Lankan victory against Pakistan would eliminate England from contention, while a Pakistan win would keep the qualification race alive heading into the final league fixture.