Pakistan-Sri Lanka Series 1st ODI Match [Live Stream Available]

The One Day International series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is starting today in Dubai and Pakistan will look to brush aside the team’s dismal performance in the test series, losing 2-0 to a weaker-looking Sri Lankan side.

Timing and Venue

The first match of the 5-match ODI series is a day/night fixture and is scheduled at Dubai International Stadium, UAE.

Play will begin at 4:00 pm Pakistan Standard Time.

Squads

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Shahdab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Usman Shinwari, Ruman Raees, Junaid Khan, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq

Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga (capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay

Playing XI

Pakistan

Pakistan has already announced their playing XI for the first game, bringing in the senior players like Shoaib Malik and Mohamad Hafeez.

Injuries to Mohammad Amir and Azhar Ali have made way for Ahmad Shehzad and Rumman Raees.

1 Ahmed Shehzad, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Mohammad Hafeez, 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt. and wk), 7 Imad Wasim, 8 Rumman Raees, 9 Shadab Khan, 10 Hasan Ali, 11 Junaid Khan.

Sri Lanka

Upul Tharanga, Sri Lanka’s Captain hasn’t yet announced the playing XI, but injury concerns are haunting Sri Lanka as well. Both Angelo Mathews and Nuwan Pradeep will miss out the match with injuries. Dinesh Chandimal and Vishwa Fernando will replace them.

(Probable) 1 Niroshan Dickwella, (wk), 2 Upul Tharanga (capt.), 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Lahiru Thirimanne, 5 Dinesh Chandimal, 6 Milinda Siriwardana, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Suranga Lakmal, 9 Akila Dananjaya, 10 Vishwa Fernando, 11 Dushmantha Chameera.

Form Guide

Pakistan is coming into the ODI side on the back of strong performance at the Champions Trophy, however, the test series loss at home after 7 years will be at the back of their minds coming into the first match. Sarfraz XI will look to square things with an ODI series victory.

Pakistan has won 7 out of 9 matches in Sarfraz’s captaincy, while Sri Lanka will look to forget the horrible whitewashes against India at home and against South Africa in the last two series.

Pakistan has had the better of Sri Lanka in the UAE, winning 28 and losing 16.

Live Streaming

The match will be telecasted live on PTV Sports and Ten Sports.

Match Officials

Umpires: Sundaram Ravi (IND) and Ahsan Raza (PAK)

TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)

ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

What to Expect

The series promises to be yet another thriller looking at the mercurial nature of the two sides. Sri Lanka’s main performers in the test series including Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, and Dimuth Karunaratne have flown back to Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s side looks much more balanced with the inclusion of experienced players in the middle order. But, you cannot predict the outcome of a Pakistan vs Sri Lanka game, can you? Let’s wait and watch.