ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will launch their campaign in the ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka on Sunday, looking to build on their recent series victory over Australia and test their World Cup combinations as the countdown to next year’s global tournament gathers pace.
The opening match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium offers both sides an opportunity to find consistency in the 50-over format, with England also featuring in the three-team competition. Pakistan enter the contest with greater recent success, while Sri Lanka will seek to turn a difficult year around under captain Kusal Mendis.
پاکستان، سری لنکا اور انگلینڈ پر مشتمل تین ملکی ون ڈے سیریز کا آغاز اتوار سے راولپنڈی کرکٹ سٹیڈیم میں ہو رہا ہے۔ افتتاحی میچ پاکستان اور سری لنکا کے درمیان دن ایک بجے شروع ہوگا اور پی ٹی وی سپورٹس ایچ ڈی پر براہ راست دکھایا جائے گا۔ تفصیل جانتے ہیں ذیشان قیوم سے۔۔
@XeeshanQayyum https://t.co/7jdTkMe2QA
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) October 17, 2026
With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup scheduled to begin on October 2, 2027, the tri-series provides valuable preparation time for all three teams to assess players, refine strategies and establish winning combinations.
Pakistan look to carry ODI momentum forward
Pakistan head into the tournament after winning their recent three-match ODI series against Australia 2-1. Their bowlers played a decisive role in the low-scoring contest, with left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed among the key performers.
Young all-rounder Arafat Minhas also emerged as a player to watch after claiming seven wickets at an average of 12.28 to win the Player of the Series award against Australia. He continued to impress during the subsequent T20I series against Sri Lanka, taking five wickets across three matches.
Pakistan will look to maintain that bowling intensity while giving their batting unit an opportunity to build confidence on a Rawalpindi surface expected to favour stroke-makers.
Three captains. One trophy. 🏆🏏
Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England captains come together at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for the ODI tri-series trophy unveiling 🇵🇰🇱🇰🏴
#PAKvENG | #PAKvSL | #CricketKaJashan https://t.co/wK5EG3vubj
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 17, 2026
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, arrive after securing a consolation victory in the final T20I against Pakistan, with Kusal Mendis producing an unbeaten 87 off 48 balls. Although the result came after Pakistan had already secured the series, it offered the visitors a timely confidence boost.
Sri Lanka have endured a challenging 2026, with 22 defeats against 10 victories across international cricket, according to the supplied figures. Their selectors have continued to search for a settled combination, making the tri-series an important opportunity to establish greater stability.
Babar Azam and Lahiru Udara in the spotlight
Babar Azam will be one of Pakistan’s central figures as he looks to build on an encouraging performance against Australia. He scored 40, 16 and 69 in the three-match series, averaging 41.66, offering signs of improvement after a modest run in 2025.
Sri Lanka have traditionally been a productive opponent for Babar, against whom he has scored four of his 20 ODI centuries. His record against the visitors and the expected batting-friendly conditions in Rawalpindi could provide an opportunity to strengthen his form.
For Sri Lanka, Lahiru Udara will be keen to make an impression after entering ODI contention following Pathum Nissanka’s hamstring injury. Udara impressed with the bat in the recent T20I series and will have an opportunity to stake his claim for a regular place in the 50-over side.
The 32-year-old has yet to make his ODI debut, making the tri-series particularly important as Sri Lanka assess their options ahead of the World Cup.
Pakistan Expected Playing 11 vs Sri Lanka | PAK vs SL 1st ODI Tri-Series 🇵🇰🔥 | Babar & Shaheen (C) https://t.co/uF7pNOqBvH
— asad jawaid (@AJ611_THE_KING) October 17, 2026
Team combinations and key selection decisions
Pakistan could open with Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, as Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat are not part of the ODI squad. Babar is expected to feature in the middle order, alongside players such as Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan.
Pakistan’s possible XI includes Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Ghazi Ghouri, Arafat Minhas, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.
Sri Lanka could bring Avishka Fernando into the playing XI, while Kamil Mishara’s recent scores may prompt a selection rethink. The visitors will also need to settle their spin-bowling combination, with Maheesh Theekshana likely to be considered.
Sri Lanka’s possible XI includes Lahiru Udara, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige or Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga and Maheesh Theekshana.
Rawalpindi pitch expected to favour batters
The Rawalpindi surface has generally offered favourable conditions for batting, while relatively short boundaries could further benefit attacking players. Batters who settle early may be able to build substantial innings, although Pakistan’s pace attack and both teams’ spin options could still influence the contest.
🚨 RAWALPINDI STADIUM UPDATES 🚨
– England begin their first training session.
– Pakistan and Sri Lanka held multiple sessions here ahead of the tri-series.
– True pitches will offer an even contest between bat and ball.
– PCB eyes preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. https://t.co/ECyoUlrVqn
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) October 17, 2026
The weather forecast is favourable, with temperatures expected to remain in the low-to-mid 20s Celsius, offering suitable conditions for a full match.
Pakistan have also enjoyed a strong recent record against Sri Lanka in home ODIs. Since 2019, Pakistan have won all five such matches, including three played in Rawalpindi. Babar scored 29, an unbeaten 102 and 34 when the sides last met in the city in November 2025.
With Pakistan aiming to capitalise on home advantage and Sri Lanka seeking a fresh start in the 50-over format, Sunday’s opener promises an early test of both teams’ readiness for the World Cup build-up.
