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Shaheen Afridi returns; Saim Ayub rested as Pakistan set to bowl in dead-rubber vs Sri Lanka

Anurag Dasgupta

Pakistan elected to bowl first [Source: Cricketracker/x.com] Pakistan elected to bowl first [Source: Cricketracker/x.com]

Pakistan have sealed the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, thanks to a brilliant 20th ODI ton by Babar Azam in the last match, but now, the caravan shifts towards the series finale as Pakistan aim to clean sweep the Lankan Lions in the dead-rubber clash at Rawalpindi. For the hosts, there is plenty of positives heading into the match.

Their bowlers were excellent, and the icing on the cake was Babar Azam, who broke his long-standing century drought by equalling Saeed Anwar. On the other hand, the Sri Lankan team struggled with the ball in both games as they allowed the Men in Green to crawl back in the contest in both ODIs. The Charith Asalanka-led side will aim to finish the series on a high.

Ahead of the 3rd ODI, we take a look at what transpired at the toss and the team changes made by both sides.

Who won the toss today in PAK vs SL 3rd ODI?

Pakistan won the toss and they had no hesitation in electing to bowl first on a wicket that gets better as the game progresses. Pakistan have made four changes to their lineup as the majority of their players have been rested before the tri-series tournament. Shaheen Afridi is back after illness and Saim Ayub is rested after playing two crucial knocks in the ODI series.

4 changes for Pakistan. Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah make way for Haseebullah Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf and Faisal Akram.

PAK Vs SL playing XIs

Pakistan Playing XI : Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram

Sri Lanka Playing XI : Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (c and wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Jeffrey Vandersay

Who holds the advantage after the toss?

As witnessed in the last ODI, there was dew in the second innings, and that made the chase a lot easier for Pakistan. Expect something on similar lines as the wicket will get easier for batting with the dew, and Sri Lanka need 20-30 more runs than par score to make a match out of it. At the moment, Pakistan holds a slight advantage.