Pakistan have named Maaz Sadaqat and a fit-again Naseem Shah in their playing XI for Pakistan vs Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, after Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl. The visitors are chasing a victory to seal a place in the tri-series final alongside the hosts, with England also watching the result closely.
Toss and conditions in Lahore
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis said the chance of dew later in the evening was a big reason to chase. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said he would also have bowled first if he had won the toss. Afridi expects a score of around 300 to be a competitive target. The average first-innings total at this ground is 251, though five of the last 10 ODIs here have gone past 300.
Pakistan playing XI and the two changes
Pakistan made two changes from the previous match. Saim Ayub and Razaullah are out; Maaz Sadaqat returns at the top and Naseem Shah comes back after missing the last game with a dislocated finger. The full side is Maaz Sadaqat, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
Unchanged Sri Lanka side
Sri Lanka stuck with the same combination. Their XI is Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (captain and wicketkeeper), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka. That choice leaves their fifth-bowler options thin—a gap England used against them in Rawalpindi.
Recent history favours the hosts: Sri Lanka have lost their last five completed matches to Pakistan and have only one win in their last 14 ODIs against them. At Gaddafi Stadium itself, though, Sri Lanka’s ODI record is strong, with 10 wins in 14 games. Fans following Pakistan vs Sri Lanka today will see whether that ground record or the head-to-head streak matters more under lights.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Aaj Lahore ke Gaddafi Stadium par Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ka match hai. Sri Lanka ne toss jeet kar pehle bowling ka faisla kiya. Pakistan ne Naseem Shah aur Maaz Sadaqat ko team mein shamil kiya hai. Naseem pehle ungli ki chot ki wajah se nahi khel sake the; ab woh fit hain.
