Changes on cards as Pakistan face Sri Lanka
“Pakistan, who have already qualified for the final, are expected to make changes to their playing XI when they take on Sri Lanka in their last league game of the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium Laho…”
The match starts at 1pm PST.Left-handed opener Saim Ayub, who was under an immense pressure due to his poor form, was released from the squad on Monday and replaced by Sahibzada Farhan. Farhan had led his T20 side to a 2-1 victory in the three-match series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
Farhan was in sublime form during that series as a skipper, but the ODI squad had been announced earlier, ruling him out of selection at the time. He has now been given an opportunity and could feature in Tuesday’s game.
Maaz Sadqat, another hard-hitting left-handed opener, is also in the squad as cover for players carrying minor niggles. Although Pakistan have managed totals of more than 300 in their first two games against Sri Lanka and England, they have major concerns at the top of the order.
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Fakhar Zaman has also been out of form, scoring only 26 runs in three matches. Babar Azam failed to convert promising starts in the first two games before falling for just ten against England on Sunday, a match Pakistan won by one wicket thanks to Shadab Khan’s maiden ODI century.
Pakistan urgently need to promote Agha Salman in the batting order. The former Pakistan captain is in prolific form and could provide greater stability in the top order if given the opportunity to bat higher.
Babar, Pakistan’s Test captain, will need to raise his game. He should play straight and go deep to make the things easier for his side. Naseem Shah, who has dislocated a finger on his left hand, is unlikely to return.
Young pacer Razaullah impressed on his debut against England on Sunday, taking 2-38. It would be interesting to see what changes the team management will make for a game which will serve only as a practice show for the hosts ahead of their October 31 final.
The Gaddafi Stadium pitch offered assistance to fast bowlers on Sunday, and Shaheen Shah Afridi made the most of the conditions, taking 4-46. He had also claimed 3-55 against Sri Lanka earlier in the series.
Tuesday’s match is crucial for Sri Lanka, as a victory would secure their place in the final against Pakistan. If Sri Lanka lose, England will have another opportunity to qualify when they face the islanders in their final league match on Thursday.
Sri Lanka are in excellent form after completing a record chase of 430 against England in their previous match, the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history. Pavan Rathnayake (130), Avishka Fernando (97), Dasun Shanaka (97) and Janith Liyanage (61) were the key contributors to that remarkable victory.
The triumph also highlighted the superb batting intelligence of Sri Lanka’s batsmen at a time when they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka will need to bowl well against a Pakistan side featuring in-form batsmen Hasan Nawaz, Agha Salman and all-rounders Arafat Minhas and Shadab Khan, who has been in prolific form with the bat.
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