The Pakistan Sri Lanka tri-series opener began with Sri Lanka winning the toss and electing to bowl first at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday. At the time of filing, the hosts had stumbled to 118 for 4, with Babar Azam (45) and debutant Saad Baig (39) both dismissed.
Young wicket-keeper-batter Baig made his Pakistan debut in the fixture, with team management preferring him ahead of fellow keeper Ghazi Ghori for the first game of the seven-match tournament, which also features England and runs until October 31.
Illness rules out Shadab and Sufiyan
Wrist spinners Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem missed the first match of the tri-series through illness. The Pakistan Cricket Board said both players were receiving treatment under the supervision of the team’s medical staff, and would be considered for upcoming matches depending on their recovery.
The absence of the two spinners reshaped Pakistan’s bowling plans for the opener at a venue where spin often matters in the middle overs. Feature Pakistan covered their fitness update ahead of the series. (See: PCB’s fitness update on Shadab and Sufiyan)
Pakistan Sri Lanka tri-series opener: how the innings stands
Pakistan’s openers could not build a foundation. The innings needed steadying when Babar arrived, and he looked in good touch before falling for 45, one of four wickets that left the hosts in trouble at 118 for 4 at filing.
Babar’s innings came on the back of a personal milestone: he crossed 16,000 international runs earlier in the match, becoming only the fifth Pakistani batter to reach the mark.
Pakistan named an XI of Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
Series format and what comes next
The first three matches of the tri-series will be played in Rawalpindi before the competition moves to Lahore for the remaining league fixtures and the final at Gaddafi Stadium on October 31. The tournament follows a double round-robin format, with each team facing the other two sides twice. The top two teams in the standings will qualify for the final.
The tri-series gives all three teams a chance to test combinations and build momentum ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Pakistan arrive with a recent 2-1 T20I series win over Sri Lanka at the same Rawalpindi venue. The two sides are also scheduled to play a two-match Test series after the ODI tri-series.
FAQ
Who won the toss in the Pakistan Sri Lanka tri-series opener?
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Who made their Pakistan debut in the tri-series opener?
Saad Baig, a young wicket-keeper-batter, made his ODI debut for Pakistan, chosen ahead of Ghazi Ghori.
Why did Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem miss the opener?
Both wrist spinners were ruled out through illness, the PCB said, and are under the supervision of the team’s medical staff.
What is the tri-series format?
A double round-robin involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England. Each team plays the other two twice, with the top two sides meeting in the final at Gaddafi Stadium on October 31.
