LAHORE: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first against Pakistan in a crucial league match of the Tri-Series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis called correctly and had no hesitation in bowling first. Kusal Mendis said” we are going to bowl first. I think a little bit dew is coming in the second innings. That’s the first reason. And I trust our batting unit. The guys batted really well in last game.
“Mendis confirmed Sri Lanka are going with the same combination that pulled off the remarkable chase against England in Rawalpindi.
Shaheen Afridi said Pakistan Captain “We would have also bowled first because in the second half, there’s a little bit dew. We have two changes. Saim Ayub and Razaullah are out, Maaz Sadaqat and Naseem Shah are back.”Pitch Report – Aamer Sohail:
“It looks a belter. It’s rock hard with a lot of grass covering, and I think it’ll offer consistent pace and bounce. However, initially for a few overs, it might offer a bit of grip. This pitch should behave.
“Teams:Pakistan (Playing XI): Maaz Sadaqat, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig(w), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi(c), Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan MadushankaMatch Context:Sri Lanka will want more from captain Kusal Mendis with the bat, who is yet to make a significant contribution in this series. After that stunning chase of 430 against England in Rawalpindi, confidence is high in the Sri Lankan dressing room.
For Pakistan, despite being unbeaten, top-order concerns remain. Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam have managed a combined average of just over 15 in this series. Ayub has been released and replaced, while Babar’s strike rate of 74.31 since 2025 remains a major talking point.
A win tonight for Sri Lanka will seal their place in the final. For Pakistan, Shaheen feels 290-300 will be a comfortable, defendable total on this surface.
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