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All teams play each other twice before the top two meet in the final in Lahore on October 31.
PCB
England, Sri Lanka and hosts Pakistan begin a one-day international tri-series in Rawalpindi on Sunday as preparation for next year’s 50-over World Cup.
All teams play each other twice before the top two meet in the final in Lahore on October 31.
Why is the ODI tri-series important for the World Cup?
The tri-series is a build-up to the World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, which is a little under a year away. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi described it as vital, saying the team must do well and needs good preparations for the tournament.
“It will be important we do well as the focus will be on the World Cup and we need to get good preparations,” Shaheen said ahead of his team’s opener against Sri Lanka on Sunday.
How have the three teams fared at recent World Cups?
All three sides are former World Cup champions, but their recent results are less encouraging. Pakistan, champions in 1992, have not qualified for the ODI World Cup semi-finals since 2011 and finished fifth at the last World Cup in India three years ago.
England won the title at home in 2019 but fared miserably in 2023, finishing seventh. Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, were no better.
Which players return or miss out in the ODI tri-series?
Pakistan welcome back ace batsman Babar Azam, who was not selected for the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka. That series finished last week, with Pakistan winning 2-1.
England are without star batter Jos Buttler (injured) and fast bowler Jofra Archer (rested). They are on the back of three successive ODI series wins, two against Sri Lanka and one over India.
England captain Harry Brook, whose team meet Pakistan on Tuesday, said: “It’s a great opportunity against two very strong sides and will hold us in good stead, and if we play the final it will show us where we stand.”
Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis was in positive mood. “We have plans in place (towards the World Cup) and I hope the team shows some good progress,” said Mendis.
What is the schedule for the ODI tri-series?
The tri-series runs from October 18 to 31, and each team plays the others twice before the final in Lahore.
- Oct 18: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi
- Oct 20: Pakistan vs England, Rawalpindi
- Oct 22: England vs Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi
- Oct 25: Pakistan vs England, Lahore
- Oct 27: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Lahore
- Oct 29: England vs Sri Lanka, Lahore
- Oct 31: Final, Lahore
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