Sri Lanka opt to field against Pakistan in ODI tri-series opener

RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field against Pakistan in the opening match of the ODI tri-nation series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The seven-match tournament features hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England and will run until October 31, with the remaining matches and the final scheduled to be played in Lahore.

Pakistan will be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Kusal Mendis is captaining Sri Lanka. England are captained by Harry Brook.

Speaking ahead of the match, Shaheen Afridi said the series was important for Pakistan as they prepared for next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

The Pakistan captain expressed confidence in his team’s batting, saying they would aim for 300 runs if conditions demanded it and were capable of chasing totals of 350 or 400.

Sri Lankan captain Mendis said the tournament was important for all three sides in their preparations for the World Cup. He said his team had a balanced squad and was ready for the challenge, with three fast bowlers and a spinner forming part of its bowling combination.

Wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig is set to make his debut for Pakistan in the match.

Pakistan’s squad includes established batters Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, alongside Hasan Nawaz and Salman Ali Agha. The bowling options include Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.

The opening match marks the start of the ODI leg of Pakistan’s home white-ball season after the hosts and Sri Lanka completed a three-match T20I series earlier this month.

The tri-series will provide the three teams with an opportunity to assess their combinations and build momentum ahead of the 2027 World Cup.