Pakistan and Sri Lanka reignite their ODI rivalry in Rawalpindi today, with both sides seeking momentum and redemption in a three-match battle that could reshape their white-ball fortunes.
Cricket fans are in for an exciting showdown as Pakistan host Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series beginning today at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second and third matches will also be played at the same venue on November 13 and 15, with all games scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. local time and the toss taking place half an hour earlier.
Sri Lanka enter the series aiming to extend their winning streak in white-ball cricket after strong recent performances, while Pakistan look to build on their confidence from a successful home series against South Africa, where they won both the T20I and ODI series 2-1. That victory marked Shaheen Shah Afridi’s debut as Pakistan’s ODI captain, and his leadership was widely praised for inspiring a spirited comeback and commanding bowling displays.
The series also serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming tri-nation T20I series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, which will be held from November 17 to 29 across Rawalpindi and Lahore. Teams are expected to use these matches to fine-tune their squads ahead of the busy international calendar.
Historically, Pakistan have dominated ODI encounters between the two nations. Out of 157 matches, Pakistan have won 93, while Sri Lanka have secured 59 victories. One match ended in a tie, and four were abandoned. On home soil, Pakistan lead the head-to-head 18-12 from 30 matches, underlining their strong record in familiar conditions.
Their last bilateral ODI series in Pakistan took place in 2019, which the hosts comfortably won 2-0. Pakistan will once again rely on captain Babar Azam, who has a stellar record against Sri Lanka. In 12 ODIs, he has scored 535 runs at an average of 53.50, including three centuries and a highest score of 115 in Karachi.
With Shaheen Afridi leading the bowling attack and Babar Azam in sublime form, Pakistan are eager to start strong. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will look to upset the hosts and continue their recent resurgence in limited-overs cricket.
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