Pakistan announces their playing XI for the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka

The exciting contest between hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka will now be fought in the coloured jersey. The visitors performed incredibly well to win the Test series 2-0. They also became the first visiting side to beat Pakistan in a Test series at the UAE. Therefore, the Lankans are quite charged up for the 5-match ODI series.

On the other hand, the hosts would be looking to bounce back after a tough time in the Test matches. They would be thriving to take the field and maintain their momentum after the big Champions Trophy 2017 victory. The Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed named the playing XI for 1st ODI in the pre-match conference. They have excluded Faheem Ashraf, Usman Khan, Haris Sohail and Imam-ul-Haq from the playing eleven.

We will keep the same momentum

Sarfraz stated that the boys are all set and ready for their first ODI game after the Champions Trophy final against India. “This is our first match after the Champions Trophy. Hopefully we will keep the same momentum and play like what we played in England,” he said.

He also stated that they are not thinking about the Test series defeat and will be focusing on doing well in the limited overs leg. “We hope to do well. We have moved forward after forgetting what happened in Tests. We have some new players in the squad and hope they will give good performances,” he added.

The premier fast bowler of the hosts Mohammad Amir is injured and will miss the 1st ODI. Sarfraz spoke about the injury and also said that it is a huge loss for the team. “Unfortunately we don’t have Amir and it’s a big loss. But we have a good bowling attack with Usman Khan, Rumman Raees along with Junaid Khan,” concluded Sarfraz.

Pakistan team Playing XI for the 1st ODI:

Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (C), Imad Wasim, Shahdab Khan, Junaid Khan, Hasan Ali and Ruman Raees.