For the opening fixture of the series, Sri Lanka opted for a pace-heavy approach, naming four seamers in their playing XI to test the hosts early on. Alongside their pace options, the visitors selected Sachindu Colombage as their specialist legspinner, hoping his variations will prove effective through the middle overs on a pitch expected to offer assistance as the game progresses.
Pakistan, meanwhile, handed a senior international debut to 19-year-old wicketkeeper Saad Baig. The young gloveman’s inclusion adds fresh energy to the middle order. More significantly for the hosts, the match marks the long-awaited reunion of their premier fast-bowling trio. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah are playing together in an ODI for the first time since the Champions Trophy in 2025, restoring a formidable pace partnership that has historically formed the backbone of Pakistan’s bowling attack.
The home side’s tactical setup is further balanced by the presence of seam-bowling allrounder Faheem Ashraf, who provides depth to both the batting and bowling departments, while Arafat Minhas has been selected as the primary spin option. The batting order also sees the return of Salman Ali Agha, who is playing his first international fixture since being sent home from Pakistan’s tour of England, providing crucial stability and experience in the middle order. The left-handed pairing of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman takes up the responsibility of opening the innings, aiming to provide a solid foundation against Sri Lanka’s new-ball attack.
The complete playing XI for Pakistan features Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman at the top, followed by Babar Azam at number three, debutant Saad Baig at number four, and Hasan Nawaz at five. Salman Ali Agha slots in at number six, followed by allrounders Minhas Arafat and Faheem Ashraf. The bowling unit is rounded out by captain Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah.
Sri Lanka’s lineup is anchored by Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis opening the batting, with captain Kusal Mendis taking the crucial number three spot. Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, and Janith Liyanage form the core of the middle order, supported by experienced allrounder Dasun Shanaka. The bowling attack is spearheaded by seamers Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka, alongside Eshan Malinga, supported by specialist spinner Sachindu Colombage.
As the players took the field under bright skies in Rawalpindi, the conditions promised an engaging contest between bat and ball. With Sri Lanka choosing to bowl, the immediate focus shifted to how Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman would handle the moving ball against Sri Lanka’s pace-oriented attack, and whether the returning trio of Shaheen, Rauf, and Naseem could replicate their past successes in the second half of the match.
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