Pakistan bowl against Sri Lanka in tri-series final

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl against Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

The decision ended Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis’s unbroken run of toss wins in the tournament, with the trophy at stake.

Who won the toss in the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka tri-series final?

Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and put Sri Lanka in to bat first. Both sides made one change ahead of the final.

Pakistan replaced Shadab Khan with Faheem Ashraf, while Sri Lanka brought in off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana for Eshan Malinga.

What is the score in the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka tri-series final?

Sri Lanka had reached 109-2 after 21 overs, with Pakistan’s part-time off-spinner Salman Ali Agha claiming both wickets. The breakthroughs gave the hosts some control over the innings.

The visitors, however, remain in a position to build a competitive total. That would put pressure on Pakistan in the title decider.

Why was Shadab Khan replaced in Pakistan’s team?

Pakistan brought in all-rounder Faheem Ashraf in place of Shadab, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said. Shadab was ruled out on medical grounds after being struck by a bouncer during Pakistan’s previous ODI against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka included off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana in place of Eshan Malinga. The visitors are seeking to strengthen their bowling options for the title clash.

How did Pakistan and Sri Lanka reach the tri-series final?

Pakistan enter the final after an inconsistent end to their league campaign. They secured three consecutive victories before suffering a heavy defeat against Sri Lanka in their last outing.

The hosts began the tournament with a 37-run win over Sri Lanka, followed by an 87-run victory against England. They then edged England by one wicket in Lahore, with Shadab producing an unbeaten 113 to rescue Pakistan from a difficult position.

Their momentum was halted in the next match, when Sri Lanka bowled them out for 110 and completed an eight-wicket victory. Dilshan Madushanka led the attack with figures of 5-34.

Sri Lanka bounced back from their opening loss to Pakistan with a two-wicket victory over England, chasing a target of 430 in Rawalpindi. They lost their final league fixture to England by 55 runs, but their earlier results were enough to secure a place in the final.

Each side has beaten the other in the league stage. Saturday’s match offers a chance to settle the contest and claim the tournament trophy.

Who is in the playing XIs for Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the tri-series final?

Pakistan: Maaz Sadaqat, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.

Sri Lanka: Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (captain and wicketkeeper), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.