RAWALPINDI: As Pakistan and Sri Lanka are set to face each other in the second ODI of their series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium the former has won the toss and chose to field. The match will start at 3:00 PM IST. Sri Lanka is also scheduled to participate in a T20I series in Pakistan alongside Zimbabwe. The third and final ODI will also be hosted in Rawalpindi.
Squads:
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah Khan, Abrar Ahmed
Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Pramod Madushan, Pavan Rathnayake, Lahiru Udara, Eshan Malinga.
Sri Lanka Cricket said, “If any player, players, or support staff return home against SLC’s directives, a formal review will be carried out to evaluate their actions, and appropriate decisions will follow after the review.”
Strict Security Measures:
The match will proceed amid strict security measures following some of Sri Lankan players expressed concerns after recent terror incidents in Islamabad, D.I. Khan, and Wana. However, Pakistani authorities reassured the Sri Lankan cricket team of foolproof security for their ongoing tour. A day ago, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir personally helped mediate with Sri Lankan officials, leading to the decision by Sri Lanka’s cricket team to continue their stay in Pakistan for the ongoing series.
Read More: COAS personally helped mediate with Sri Lankan officals: Naqvi
A Legacy of Solidarity as Pakistan and Sri Lanka Stand United Against Terrorism:
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have always maintained a clear and united stance against elements that threaten peace in the region. In the fight against terrorism, the cricket teams of both countries have also emerged as symbols of solidarity. Throughout difficult times, the two nations have strengthened their commitment to peace, friendship, and cooperation.
In 1996, when several international teams refused to play in Sri Lanka due to tense conditions, the Pakistan cricket team visited the country as a gesture of goodwill, honoring the deep friendship between the two sides. The tour sent a powerful message of peace, courage, and brotherhood from the Pakistani players.
On that occasion, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said, “We came to Sri Lanka to show the world that everything here is safe and normal”. According to Wasim Akram, the Pakistani team supported the tour without hesitation because they knew how deeply the people of Sri Lanka loved the sport.
Today, despite Pakistan’s own challenges related to terrorism, the continuation of the Sri Lankan team’s tour reflects the strength of love, trust, and mutual respect between the two countries. The people of Pakistan have warmly appreciated Sri Lanka’s decision to continue the tour. Pakistan has extended full state-level hospitality to the visiting team and ensured complete, foolproof security arrangements for their stay.
Series Situation:
Pakistan currently leads the series 1-0 and a victory in Rawalpindi will secure the series. The first ODI was a thrilling contest, with Pakistan narrowly winning by six runs, highlighting the competitive balance between the two sides. Sri Lanka will be keen to bounce back and level the series, turning the final game into a decider, while Pakistan will aim for a composed performance to close out the series at home.
Pakistan’s middle order played a pivotal role in the first ODI, with Salman Ali Agha scoring a century and Hussain Talat contributing a crucial half-century after early struggles by the top order. However, Pakistan will need to address their shaky starts and ensure their bowlers, particularly Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Nawaz, strike effectively from the outset.
Sri Lanka, despite the loss, can take positives from the first game. Their openers provided a strong start, and Wanindu Hasaranga impressed with three wickets and a fighting half-century. The challenge for the visitors will be avoiding collapses and converting good starts into big totals. Key players like Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka will need to step up to relieve pressure on the lower order.
Originally slated for November 13, the match was postponed to November 14 due to security incidents in Islamabad. The Rawalpindi pitch is generally batting-friendly, as seen when Pakistan posted nearly 300 in the first ODI, suggesting another high-scoring contest. With the series hanging in the balance, Sri Lanka is expected to make bold adjustments, promising another exciting encounter.
