The tri-series is important for all three sides because there is now officially less than 12 months before the World Cup, which is set to begin on October 2 next year. Sri Lanka still have plenty to figure out – their white-ball squads having been in serious flux this year, as a new set of selectors searches (often fruitlessly) for a winning combination. Pakistan have players and strategies to trial as well.
Pakistan: WLWLW(Last five completed matches, most-recent first)
Sri Lanka: LWLWL
In the spotlight: Babar Azam and Lahiru Udara
With neither Sahibzada Farhan nor Maaz Sadaqat in the ODI squad, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman may open.
Pakistan (possible): 1 Saim Ayub, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Hasan Nawaz, 4 Babar Azam, 5 Salman Ali Agha, 6 Shadab Khan, 7 Ghazi Ghouri (wk), 8 Minhas Arafat, 9 Shaheen Afridi (capt.), 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Naseem Shah
Sri Lanka may bring Avishka Fernando straight into the XI, with Kamil Mishara having had a run of modest scores. Sri Lanka also have some decisions to make on the spin-bowling front, although they are likely to favour Maheesh Theekshana over legspinner Sachindu Colombage.
Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Lahiru Udara, 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), 4 Kamindu Mendis, 5 Sahan Arachchige/Pavan Rathnayake, 6 Janith Liyanage, 7 Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, 8 Dushmantha Chameera, 9 Eshan Malinga, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Asitha Fernando
Rawalpindi surfaces have tended to be batting-friendly, and with short boundaries on offer as well, batters are expected to prosper. The weather is forecast to be fine, with temperatures in the mid-to-low 20s range.
