Pakistan won the toss and elected to field against Sri Lanka in the final of the tri-nation One-day International series at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, ending the Islanders’ run of winning every toss in the tournament.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis, who had won all previous tosses in the competition, was asked to bat first by Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Pakistan made one change to their side, with all-rounder Faheem Ashraf replacing Shadab Khan, who was ruled out of the final on medical grounds.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement on Saturday that Shadab had been ruled out after being struck by a bouncer in the fifth ODI against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka also made one alteration, bringing in off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana in place of Eshan Malinga.
The hosts will be looking to make home advantage count after qualifying for the final with three successive victories.
They beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in their opening match, defeated England by 87 runs and then edged the English side by one wicket in Lahore, thanks to Shadab’s unbeaten 113.
Pakistan’s winning run, however, ended in their last league match when Sri Lanka dismissed them for just 110 before cruising to an eight-wicket victory. Dilshan Madushanka took five wickets for 34 runs in that match.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, recovered from their opening defeat against Pakistan by producing a remarkable successful chase of 430 against England in Rawalpindi, winning by two wickets. They lost their final league fixture against England by 55 runs but had already secured their place in the title clash.
The finalists had therefore won one match each in the league stage, setting up an intriguing contest for the trophy.
Teams
PAKISTAN: Maaz Sadaqat, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
SRI LANKA: Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (captain and wicket-keeper), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
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