Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, Karachi: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, Karachi: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

Pakistan Sri Lanka fans welcome

After all the few last-minute uncertainty of Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan going ahead, the first ODI in Karachi is set to get underway, with plenty of things to look forward to.

Apart from the obvious boost that comes with Sri Lanka touring Pakistan – it was the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009 that led to the international boycott in the country – there is the fact that Pakistan are also playing their first match under new coach, and chief selector, Misbah-ul-Haq, the former captain.

Misbah has spoken keenly of building a team for all formats, and more importantly, fitness – that has been his repeated mantra – and his first ODI squad has had a few surprising names in it, including that of Iftikhar Ahmed, who is in line to play his first ODI since 2015.

Domestic form has been key for Misbah, and that’s also reflecting in the recall of Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz. Pakistan’s new era will therefore begin with optimism in their own quarters, and it’ll be imperative for the side to win to continue the feel-good factor.

That should be an achievable proposition, given Sri Lanka have a vastly depleted outfit on tour – ten players opted not to travel to Pakistan over security concerns, including captain Dimuth Karunaratne. Despite that, there is still a side there capable of troubling the best opposition on their day. It’ll be crucial for the seniors in the set-up – Lahiru Thirimanne, Dasun Shanaka, the captain, and Nuwan Pradeep – to set the standards.

The atmosphere in Karachi is expected to be electric, and it should be a more than decent evening.

Head to head

There have been 153 ODIs between these sides, dating back to 1975. Pakistan have been superior, with 90 victories to Sri Lanka’s 58. However, in Pakistan, for some reason, the record looks less impressive – in 28 matches, Pakistan have lost 12 times to Sri Lanka. In fact, the last time these two sides played in Karachi, in January 2009, Pakistan lost by 129 runs.

Key players

Babar Azam (Pakistan): Pakistan will be playing a rare home international and the pressure will be on their batting mainstay, Babar, to deliver. He is the glue that holds the innings together, and if he gets going, things can get tough for the visitors. They will aim to dismiss him early.

Avishka Fernando (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka may be shorn of a few seniors on this tour, but their brightest young star opted to travel to Pakistan, and he will be key to their hopes. He displayed his qualities to the world during the World Cup, scoring a century against West Indies. This is expected to be a tough tour for Sri Lanka, but if he fires, it doesn’t need to be.

Likely XIs

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Sohail, Imad Wasim, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Khan Shinwari.

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka, Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Danushka Gunathilaka, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Pradeep, Lakshan Sandakan.

Prediction

Pakistan to ride on the joys of home advantage and win this easily.