Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and chose to field in the opening ODI of the tri-series against Pakistan on Sunday in Rawalpindi. The tournament also features England and serves as preparation for the upcoming World Cup set to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia next year.
Pakistan handed an ODI debut to 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, who has accumulated 501 runs in 15 List A matches. The team brought back several experienced players who were rested during the recent T20 series against Sri Lanka, including captain Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha. Pakistan won that T20 series 2-1 at the same Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Attention will focus on Babar Azam, Pakistan’s premier batter, as he has managed just one ODI century since August 2023, when he scored 102 not out against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. Pakistan’s lineup also includes Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman opening the batting, with Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, and Naseem Shah completing the side.
Sri Lanka, who lost their last ODI series 2-1 to England, recalled Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka for the tri-series as they seek the right combination. The visitors are missing Wanindu Hasaranga due to injury and have left out Maheesh Theekshana, instead opting for leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage as their only specialist spinner. Their side also features Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka.
Rawalpindi will host three matches before the tournament moves to Lahore, which is scheduled to stage the final on October 31. The tri-series offers both teams a chance to fine-tune their squads ahead of the World Cup campaign.
According to Yahoo Sports.