With dew around, toss likely to play an important part

Pakistan Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sri Lanka Captain Charith Asalanka with the trophy that will be presented to the winner of the three-match ODI series

• Sri Lanka v Pakistan 3-match ODI series starts today

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq 

With Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) cancelling the 2025 Lanka Premier League (LPL), the ODI series against Pakistan starting at Rawalpindi today followed by the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series involving Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi and Lahore will be Sri Lanka’s final international cricket engagements for the year.

The LPL was scheduled to take place in December, but following its cancellation in order to prepare the pitches for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka will have a barren December devoid of any international cricket until Pakistan and then England arrive for two separate white ball series in January and February. What effect it will have on our T20I team is a matter of conjecture because for the entire month of December they will be left to practice and train amongst themselves. There is nothing like playing a competitive series against another nation to test the strength of the team which at the same time exposes any weak areas that need to be rectified. But then Sri Lanka is left with only the six T20I matches against Pakistan and England (plus 6 ODIs) to prepare in what will be a challenging T20 World Cup for them although they are co-hosts with India and will play their matches in home conditions.

The Pakistan series offers a new challenge to Sri Lanka as they are touring the country after six years during which period a lot can happen and change with regard to the pitches and conditions they played on in 2019.

Its approaching winter in Rawalpindi and the weather we are told is extremely cold with temperatures around 10-12 degrees. With a lot of dew expected to be around at this time of the year, the toss will play a vital role during the three-match series. The spinners especially will find it hard to grip the wet ball when bowling in the second innings. The ball rather than grip and turn is likely to skid off the surface which will make life easy for the team batting second. 

Sri Lanka during a comprehensive training session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

With the dew factor there are a few options left to Sri Lanka to decide. If they bowl first there is some grip and turn for the spinners, but if they bowl second the conditions will not be helpful to the spinners and a third fast bowler will be the most suited to the task. However, Sri Lanka are unlikely to take the option of playing three fast bowlers and one spinner.

Sri Lanka during a comprehensive training session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

In the circumstances Sri Lanka will probably go with a two-pace, two-spin combination. Asitha Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera will share the new ball and the spin department will be handled by Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. For additional support there is the medium-pace of Janith Liyanage and the off-breaks of skipper Charith Asalanka.

Kamil Mishara is likely to partner Pathum Nissanka in the opener’s slot and his ability to bowl off-breaks makes him a strong candidate ahead of Lahiru Udara who is a wicket-keeper. The rest of the Sri Lankan batting will remain the same with Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis.

Pakistan will have their confidence high coming after two back to back white ball series wins against South Africa in the ODIs (2-1) and T20Is (2-1).

Prior to the team’s departure to Pakistan, Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya said, “Pakistan are playing good cricket at the moment. They know the conditions better and have home advantage. They are a very good experienced side and have good players. So you cannot take things lightly, we have to work and fight it out very hard to beat them.”

Pakistan Coach Mike Hesson (6th from right) has a pow-wow with the players

Pakistan’s Coach Mike Hesson was pleased with the outlook of his side.

“I think we’ve made progress … we’ve played well when [the series was on the line]. We’ve also tried different players. We’re a developing ODI side, we’re developing consistency. ODIs is what we’re focusing on and today was a big step for us,” said Hesson after Pakistan beat South Africa in the decisive third ODI at Faisalabad by 7 wickets to clinch the series.

Hesson added that the side displayed fine cricket in both the T20 and One Day formats, earning notable victories. According to him, several players were tested to strengthen the lower order. He observed that Abrar Ahmed (the leg-spinner) learnt a great deal during training, which was clearly reflected in his performance on the field in the third ODI where he ran through the South African batting taking 4/27.

Babar Azam, the coach said was in excellent form and he expected stronger performances from him in the upcoming fixtures against Sri Lanka.