What happened

Sri Lanka chose to bowl first after winning the toss against hosts Pakistan in the opening match of the One-day International (ODI) tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, according to Dawn. Pakistan introduced wicket-keeper-batter Saad Baig for his international debut, selecting the left-hander over Ghazi Ghori. Meanwhile, all-rounder Shadab Khan and spinner Sufyan Moqim were excluded from the opening match due to illness, with the Pakistan Cricket Board confirming both players are currently under medical supervision.

Key facts

According to Dawn, key details regarding the match and team selections include:

  • Debutant Saad Baig previously captained the national under-19 side and scored 1,000 runs during the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy season.
  • PCB medical staff are monitoring Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim to assess their fitness for upcoming series matches upon recovery.
  • Pakistan's playing eleven consists of Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah.
  • Sri Lanka's lineup features Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, captain Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Sachindu Colombage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka.
  • The full schedule and identity of the third participating team were not specified in the source; please check the official notice.

Why it matters

Dawn reports that the tri-series begins the final phase of Pakistan's preparations for next year's 50-over World Cup, as the nation seeks to end a nine-year ICC trophy drought. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi stated that pitch conditions have been intentionally tailored to encourage bounce and lateral movement, mimicking surfaces in South Africa. This represents a change from the slower, spin-oriented pitches utilized in earlier home assignments, such as the series against Australia in May and June. Senior batter Fakhar Zaman added that the squad is focused on giving their best effort to win a major international trophy after previously reaching semi-finals and finals.

📰 Read the Original Report

Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 18, 2026 · Photo by Sanket Mishra on Unsplash