pakistan challenges sri lanka Third match of Pakistan T20I tri-series. This article provides details about the third match of the series, Pakistan Playing XI vs Sri Lanka.
Pakistan Playing XI vs Sri Lanka – Pakistan T20I Tri Series 2025, Match 3:
Opening pitcher: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub
Pakistan had a difficult time chasing in the opening game of the Tri-Series, so if they want to put up a perfect performance in the next match against Sri Lanka, they will want to improve their batting performance.
The Men in Green were reduced to 54-4 and found themselves in a sticky situation as they chased a target of 148 points, but it took an all-out effort from Mohammad Nawaz to get the team over the line.
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To achieve this, the home team will rely on the first and third batters to get the team off to a good start and score a large number of points.
The opening pair of Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub have shown glimpses of their potential, but they have not been able to produce consistent performances, and we would like to see them do that against Sri Lanka.
Personally, both players have been hit and miss, unable to get the starts they have had on most occasions so far and will be looking to bat in the first six overs.
If Farhan and Ayub improve, the hosts will have a better chance of winning as the mid-order team will have the platform to make use of both first batters and chasers.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf
As for the midfield position, there was a big change in the first match. What was noteworthy was Fakhar Zaman’s at-bat.
Opener Fakhar came into bat at number five to negotiate with the Spinners, but this may be part of a long-term strategy considering the left-handed batsman’s aggressive gameplay against the Spinners.
Besides Fakhar, another newcomer in the mid-order was Usman Khan. He has had a few chances so far, but he has enjoyed important partnerships with Fakhar and Mohammad Nawaz and capitalized on them to take his team home.
While the team’s lower-ranked players are carrying out relief efforts, the team management is likely to be a little concerned about the form of captain Salman Ali Agha, who has not improved since taking over as captain.
The hosts will be desperate for him to score runs against Sri Lanka, along with Babar Azam, who was dismissed for a duck against Zimbabwe.
Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed
As far as Pakistan’s bowling is concerned, they played their part in the first match with conditions conducive to the bowlers and they will be hoping to repeat the same performance against Sri Lanka.
The Men in Green may rest ODI captain and experienced fast bowler Shaheen Afridi due to the rotation policy the team has adopted for quite some time regarding bowling resources.
Depending on the nature of the wicket, there could also be a scenario where Abrar Ahmed is rested and Pakistan brings in an extra seamer.
Mohammad Nawaz is probably the only name to be selected for the squad. He has been in great form with both the bat and the ball in recent months.