Pakistan likely to make one change for third Sri Lanka ODI

The Men in Green lead the three-match series one-nil after winning the second ODI by 67 runs

PHOTO COURTESY: PCB

Pakistan would be looking to secure a One-day International (ODI) series win over the touring Sri Lanka side, when they face-off in the third and final match at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday.

The Men in Green lead the three-match series one-nil after winning the second ODI by 67 runs on Monday, courtesy impressive performances from top-order batsman Babar Azam and pacer Usman Shinwari.

The home side is likely to make one change to their playing XI due to injury to opener Imamul Haq. The left-hander sustained an injury on the webbing of his left hand while fielding in the third over of Sri Lanka's innings in the second ODI.

Imam will be replaced by fellow opener Abid Ali for the third ODI. It must be noted that Ali scored a century in his debut appearance against Australia but he was left out of Pakistan’s squad for ODI series against England and the 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup.

Pakistan are yet to win an ODI series in 2019, after having lost against South Africa, 3-2, Australia, 5-0, and England, 4-0, over the course of the year.

Despite the win in the first ODI, Pakistan team management will be hoping that captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who batted at number five position in the batting order, will come good with the bat in the final match of the series. He was only able to score eight runs in the second ODI match.

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A crowd of 12,000 came to watch the return of ODI cricket to their city, on Monday, weathering heat and various security check-posts, using special shuttles to reach the National stadium but it is expected that a larger number of fans will turn up for the third and final ODI of the series on Wednesday.

After the conclusion of the three-match ODI series, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will lock horns in a three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series in Lahore. The matches are scheduled to take place on October 5, 7 and 9 respectively.