Match: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI
Date: 13 October, 2017
Time: 4:30 pm IST/ 12:00 pm BST/ 2:00 pm SGT
Venue: Dubai International Stadium
Live Streaming: Streamings will be available on SonyLiv app and Hotstar.
After facing the recent Test defeat, Pakistan is ready to play their first match of five days ODIs against Sri Lanka on 13 October, Friday at Dubai International Stadium.
Both teams have played the Test series in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where Sri Lanka whitewashed Pakistan by 2-0. It was Pakistan's first defeat in ten series in the United Arab Emirates.
However, top performers from the previous series Dimuth Karunaratne, Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera will not be seen in Sri Lanka's ODI squad.
The second-highest scorer in the Test series Dinesh Chandimal helped his team to defeat Pakistan. Although he has been included in the squad, the team has to decide whether they will select him in top XI or not. Even Sri Lanka's wicketkeeper and batsman Niroshan Dickwella would be featured in ODIs after his last appearance in the Test series against Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
According to match stats, Sri Lanka has quite a weak performance in terms of One Day International in 2017. Their last Test series win over Pakistan made them the sixth team in the Test rankings and that confidence will surely help Sri Lanka to play their ODIs.
On the other hand, Mohammad Amir was plagued with an injury along with his teammate Azhar Ali, who was advised to take rest because of his knee issues.
Since Amir could not be a part of the ODIs, fast-bowler Rumman Raees will be selected instead of him. Possibly Ahmed Shehzad and Fakhar Zaman will be the opening batsmen for the ODI.
While Pakistan will be missing their two impressing cricketers Azhar and Amir, Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed would take the entire responsibility to boost his team for the upcoming ODIs.
Sarfraz took the team to the 2017 Champions League semi-final to play against England. During the pre-semi-final match, Pakistan faced Sri Lanka, where he scored 61 not out to lift his team to the next stage.
Possible XI:
Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed (capt. and wk), Imad Wasim, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan.
Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga (capt.), Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Milinda Siriwardana, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Akila Dananjaya, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera
Broadcasters:
India: Sony Six, Sony Six HD, Ten 3 Networks
Pakistan: PTV Sports
Sri Lanka: SLRC
Singapore: Star Cricket Starhub and Singtel
UK: Sky Sports, ITV 1 & 4
