RAWALPINDI – In a crucial tri-series encounter at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first, placing Pakistan in the field under challenging conditions. The decision comes as both sides look to strengthen their footing in the tournament, where early momentum could prove decisive.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha admitted that his side had hoped to bat first, especially after their five-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the opening fixture. However, the leadership remained confident that the bowlers could deliver despite being handed the ball first. With Shaheen Shah Afridi still under medical assessment due to a foot injury, Pakistan’s bowling attack faces additional pressure to perform without its spearhead.
Sri Lanka, eager to restore confidence after a heavy defeat to Zimbabwe, opted to set a solid total and regain control of their campaign. Their top order will now carry the responsibility of building a strong foundation, while Pakistan’s bowlers are expected to respond with early breakthroughs to apply scoreboard pressure.
With crowd energy high and stakes rising early in the tri-series, both teams stand on the edge of a defining result that could set the tone for the matches ahead.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.