Sri Lanka Playing XI vs Pakistan- 1st ODI, Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan 2025

Pakistan will take it upon itself Sri Lanka In the first of the three-match ODI series. This article provides details about Sri Lanka’s Playing 11 match against Pakistan in the first match of the series.

Sri Lanka Playing XI vs Pakistan – 1st ODI, Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan 2025

Editorial: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara

Sri Lanka’s first-choice side will take to the field for the first time in international cricket since their appearance in the 2025 edition of the Asia Cup when the former ODI World Cup winners take on Pakistan in the first ODI.

The Charith Asalanka-led team wants to get back into rhythm and start the three-match series with a win to have the upper hand in the second match.

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The visitors have announced a strong squad for this particular series, which has all its bases covered in the batting and bowling departments.

The only worry for Lanka heading into the first ODI will be the opening set, which the team has been unable to rectify in the last two years.

Lanka are expected to open the innings with Pathum pair Nissanka and wicketkeeper-batsman Lahiru Udara, who is yet to make his ODI debut.

The team will hope that Nissanka and Udara can make a good start and score goals individually as well.

Middle-order and all-round batsmen: Kusal Mendis, Sadira Samarawickrama (wk), Sharith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Janeth Liyanage, Wanendu Hasaranaga

In contrast to the instability at the top of the order, Lanka’s middle order looks stable and has come to the team’s rescue on several occasions in the recent past.

Having said that, the middle order, which includes the likes of Kusal Mendis, Sadira Samarawickrama and skipper Sharith Asalanka, will be hoping that the opening comes out well and provides a platform for them to take full advantage of it.

If they can do so, it will increase Lanka’s chances of starting the Pakistan tour with a win.

Lanka will rely on their top five batsmen to have a good outing and score the majority of the runs for the team, both while batting first and while chasing.

Bowlers: Mahesh Thekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando

Lanka are expected to go into the first ODI against Pakistan with a large number of spinners, as conditions are expected to suit the spinners after Pakistan’s win in the final against South Africa.

This means that Sri Lanka’s bowling attack will consist of four specialist bowlers with two spinners and several fast bowlers at the helm, which has been the standard operating procedure for Sri Lanka in the last few matches.

The fast bowling section for the visitors will be handled by Dushmantha Chameera and Asitha Fernando.

As far as the team’s bowling arsenal is concerned for this particular match, it will include Mahesh Thekshana and Wanendu Hasaranga, with Janeth Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis acting as the fifth bowling option in the series opener.