Can Pakistan carry on their winning momentum, or will Sri Lanka break it? The Sri Lankan team arrived in Rawalpindi after three decades for a three-match One Day International series. The PakvsSL ODI series saw the hosts dominating in a down-to-the-wire game in the first ODI. However, prospects are only going to get tougher as the series moves on.
Also Read: PAK vs SA ODI Series Review: Pakistan Mark Faisalabad Return with Series Win
Pakistan’s Squad:
Pakistan came with the same squad they played against South Africa. However, Hassan Nawaz was dropped ahead of the series from both the ODI and T20I squads. Nawaz had a run of horror in T20Is in the Asia Cup and South Africa series, where he reached double figures only once. Pakistan, though, didn’t seem to miss him as they looked comfortable with their middle order in the first ODI. Salman Ali Agha came in handy to rescue Pakistan from a spot of bother. He scored his second one-day ton, for which he was adjudged the man of the match.
Squad: Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Hussain Talat, and Haseebullah (wk).
Sri Lanka’s Squad:
Sri Lanka announced a 16-member squad for the ODI series. The team will be led by Charith Asalanka (c) and includes: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan, and Eshan Malinga.
Are Pakistan Hunting Young Talent?
Last year, many senior players were dropped from the national team due to poor performance, and Pakistan decided to go with new talent. For this, many youngsters joined the national team, including Muhammad Haris, Hassan Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Muqeem, and Hussain Talat, who made a comeback after three years.
Surprisingly, almost all these youngsters were dropped from the team after the loss in the Asia Cup final. A serious question now arises for the selection committee: why were these youngsters not given proper chances or a fixed batting order like other players?
PakvsSL ODI series key players:
Star batter Babar Azam is in the spotlight from Pakistan’s side. Many of his followers were hoping to see him build on his heroics against South Africa in the third T20I, where he was awarded “Player of the Match” after 794 days. In addition, skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, who went wicketless in the first game, and impact player Fakhar Zaman are also considered favourites by fans to get back in their groove in the second game.
On the other side, fans are also excited to watch the class of wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis and the power striking of Pathum Nissanka in the powerplay. Nissanka lost his wicket early in the opening game after a promising start. With him, debutant Kamil Mishara formed a decent opening stand, but Haris Rauf’s spell with the new ball was too good for both batters.
Wanindu Hasaranga inspired a late revival with the bat after wreaking havoc with Pakistan’s batting lineup in the first innings. In fact, he looked set to take the game away from Pakistan’s grasp. And though it was not to be as Sri Lanka folded with six runs short of the target, Hasaranga still remains a threat with both ball and bat.
Head-to-Head Record:
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 158 ODI matches. Out of these 158 games, Pakistan have won 94, whereas Sri Lanka have come out victorious on 59 occasions. 5 matches ended without a result.
Last Series Result:
Pakistan: Pakistan sealed a historic home series win against South Africa in their last ODI series, winning 2–1.
Sri Lanka: The visitors also come with confidence after sweeping Zimbabwe 2–0 in their last ODI series at Harare.
Ground Report:
At the Pindi Cricket Stadium, a total of 28 One Day Internationals (ODIs) have been played so far. Out of these, 13 matches were won by teams batting first, while 15 matches were won by teams chasing. Pakistan, despite batting first and braving the dew in the second innings, managed to win the first ODI.
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