Shaheen Shah Afridi chooses to field first in Lahore, with Faheem Ashraf replacing the unavailable Shadab Khan and Sri Lanka bringing in Maheesh Theekshana.
LAHORE, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against Sri Lanka in the final of the ODI tri-nation series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, October 31.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi chose to field after winning the toss, asking Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis to bat first in the tournament’s title decider.
The final brings together the two teams that qualified from the league stage, with Pakistan looking to secure their first ODI tri-series title on home soil.
Pakistan make one change to playing XI
Pakistan made one change to their line-up, bringing in all-rounder Faheem Ashraf in place of Shadab Khan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Shadab was ruled out of the final on medical grounds after being struck by a bouncer during the previous match against Sri Lanka.
Shaheen’s decision to bowl first also ended Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis’s run of winning every toss in the tournament.
Sri Lanka also make a change
Sri Lanka made one alteration to their playing XI, selecting off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana in place of Eshan Malinga.
The visitors will aim to put up a competitive total and put pressure on Pakistan in the chase. Dawn+1
Pakistan and Sri Lanka reach the final
Pakistan entered the final after winning three of their four league matches, finishing at the top of the standings with six points.
Sri Lanka secured second place with four points, while England finished third.
Pakistan had started the tournament strongly but suffered an eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in their final league match. The Islanders bowled Pakistan out for 110 before completing the chase, setting up a rematch in the final. Dawn+1
The final offers Pakistan an opportunity to respond to that defeat and claim the title in front of their home crowd.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Maaz Sadaqat, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
Sri Lanka: Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (captain and wicketkeeper), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.
