Sri Lanka arrive in Pakistan to play the first One-Day International in Karachi since 21 January 2009, which they were involved in.
The Lankans won what would be the last ODI series played in Pakistan until the 2015 tour by Zimbabwe.
Photo Copyright Steve Haag Sports
Friday 27 September 2019 | The National Stadium, Karachi | 07:00
To Win
Pakistan 29/100
Draw 35/1
Sri Lanka 11/4
Pakistan
Pakistan’s new head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has banned the players from eating biryani, sweets and red meat to help improve the team’s fitness levels.
Previous boss Mickey Arthur appeared to be making some gains on the fitness front, but there were always a few errant individuals.
Sarfaraz Ahmed stays on as captain despite a disappointing Cricket World Cup, Babar Azam will serve as his deputy with an eye being the future skipper.
Abid Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Shinwari all return to the squad after missing out on the World Cup.
Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi will miss the series through injury, meaning Wahab Riaz keeps his place in the squad.
Sri Lanka
Ten senior Sri Lanka players refused to go to Pakistan for the tour, among them Dinesh Chandimal, Akila Dananjaya, Niroshan Dickwella, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, and Thisara Perera.
The team is made up largely of younger players with Lahiru Thirimanne leading Sri Lanka’s makeshift ODI squad.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Minod Banuka is likely to make his ODI debut in Karachi.
Kasun Rajitha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, and Avishka Fernando, Isuru Udana and skipper Thirimanne all featured in the recent ODI series win. Only Avishka made any significant contribution to the victory though, and the tourists look light on match-winners.
Verdict: Pakistan 29/100
On home soil against a weakened opponent, this should be Pakistan’s match to lose.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets.
