Deadline: September 27, 2019 at 3:30 PM IST
Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
Pitch report
ODI cricket is back in Karachi after a decade, and coincidentally, these Pakistan and Sri Lanka had locked horns in the last match here. The pitch, however, is good for batting. Pacers will have to bend their backs to keep a lid on the runs.
Weather forecast
Rain is expected to stop the match in brief intervals.
Teams
Probable XI for Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Shinwari
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, Lakshan Sandakan, Kasun Rajitha
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Wicketkeeper: Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
Batsmen: Babar Azam (c), Haris Sohail, Fakhar Zaman/Imam-ul-Haq, Lahiru Thirimanne (vc), Avishka Fernando
All-rounders: Imad Wasim, Dasun Shanaka
Bowlers: Mohammad Amir, Isuru Udana, Shadab Khan
Players to watch out for
Pakistan’s top order includes the dynamic opening duo of Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman, the class-apart Babar Azam, and the dashing Haris Sohail. Sri Lanka will have to bowl out of their skin if they are to dismantle Pakistan’s batting – especially Babar Azam, who is ranked No. 3 in ICC ODI Rankings for batsmen.
As many as 10 top players from the Sri Lankan team opted out of the tour, citing security reasons. The onus thus lies on the new captain Lahiru Thirimanne to lead the Sri Lankan team in what is considered to be a significant series for Pakistan, as ODI cricket returns at home after 4 years.
In the top order, Thirimanne will be partnered by Avishka Fernando, Sri Lanka’s new batting sensation. He has scored a hundred and two fifties in 13 ODIs already.
Sri Lanka’s player to watch out for is Isuru Udana, a left-handed pacer who can score handy runs down the order. His highest score of 84* came against South Africa in their own backyard.
Mohammad Amir was spectacular in the 2019 World Cup, having sniped up 17 wickets in 8 matches. Bowling in front of the home crowd, again, will be a big moment for him.
Match prediction
Pakistan have won 8 out of the last 10 matches against Sri Lanka. With Sri Lanka playing a second-string side, their chances of winning are remote.
Squads
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed(w/c), Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Shinwari, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abid Ali
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne(c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Kumara
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