England to Arrive in Islamabad on Friday for ODI Tri-Series
ISLAMABAD: England’s 33-member touring party, including their 16-player ODI squad, is set to arrive in the federal capital on Friday morning ahead of the seven-match ODI tri-series featuring hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed.
The tri-series will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from 18 to 31 October. England’s first outing comes against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on 22 October, after Pakistan open the tournament against Sri Lanka at the same venue on 18 October and face England there on 20 October.
The England ODI tri-series arrival marks the start of a packed home season for Pakistan. The teams will move to Lahore after the first three games, where Pakistan meet England at Gaddafi Stadium on 25 October and Sri Lanka on 27 October. Sri Lanka and England contest the last group match on 29 October before the top two sides meet in the final on 31 October.
England ODI tri-series arrival: squad shake-ups
England will be without two big names for the tour. Fast bowler Jofra Archer and former captain Jos Buttler are both missing from the squad. Archer was part of the England side that beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in a home ODI series last month but managed only one wicket at an average of 121 across the series. Buttler has been ruled out with a hamstring injury picked up during the second ODI against Sri Lanka at Headingley.
The visitors do receive a boost with the return of leg-spinner Adil Rashid and all-rounder Sam Curran, both of whom have recovered from hand and groin injuries respectively. Harry Brook leads the side, with Joe Root, Ben Duckett and Will Jacks forming the batting core.
There is also a fresh face in the squad. Glamorgan leg-spinner Mason Crane has earned his maiden ODI call-up, eight years after his only Test appearance against Australia during the 2018 Ashes.
England squad for ODI tri-series: Harry Brook (captain), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Josh Tongue.
Related: England name ODI squad for tri-series in Pakistan; Archer rested
Second year running for a Pakistan tri-series
This is the second consecutive year Pakistan will stage a tri-nation ODI series. Last year the hosts played South Africa and New Zealand in the build-up to the Champions Trophy, and the format returns now as all three teams look ahead to the 2027 World Cup.
Pakistan head into the tournament on the back of a 2-1 T20I series win over Sri Lanka, with Sahibzada Farhan leading the side in the shorter format. The ODI team, captained by Shaheen Shah Afridi, began its preparations in Islamabad on Thursday.
Related: Lahore-leg tickets for ODI tri-series to go on sale online today
Frequently asked questions
When does the ODI tri-series start?
The series runs from 18 to 31 October. Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the opening match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 18 October.
When does England arrive in Pakistan?
England’s 33-member contingent, including their 16-player ODI squad, arrives in Islamabad on Friday morning, two days before the tri-series begins.
Where will the matches be played?
The first three matches will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The teams then move to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for the remaining group games and the final.
Why are Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler missing?
Archer was left out after a poor ODI series against Sri Lanka in which he took one wicket at an average of 121. Buttler is sidelined with a hamstring injury suffered during the second ODI at Headingley.
