Babar, Saad bat well after openers fall

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan in the opening match of the ODI tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, with young wicket-keeper-batter Saad Baig making his debut for the hosts.

Pakistan’s team management opted for Baig ahead of fellow wicket-keeper Ghazi Ghori for the opening fixture of the seven-match tournament, which also features England and runs until October 31.

Meanwhile wrist spinners Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim were ruled out of the first match of the ODI tri-series due to illness.

"Both the players are receiving treatment under the supervision of team’s medical staff. Their progress will be monitored and they will be considered for selection in the upcoming matches owing to their recovery," the PCB said in a statement.

The first three matches will be played in Rawalpindi before the competition moves to Lahore for the remaining league fixtures and the final at Gaddafi Stadium.

The tri-series follows a double round-robin format, with each team facing the other two sides twice. The top two teams in the standings will qualify for the final on October 31.

The tournament provides all three teams with an opportunity to assess their combinations and build momentum ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Pakistan recently defeated Sri Lanka 2-1 in a three-match Twenty20 international series at the Rawalpindi venue. The two sides are also scheduled to play a two-match Test series following the ODI tri-series.

Pakistan have named an XI featuring openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, experienced batter Babar Azam, debutant Baig and Hasan Nawaz. Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas and Faheem Ashraf provide all-round options, while captain Shaheen Shah Afridi leads a pace attack that includes Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.

Pakistan playing XI: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.