Sri Lanka choose to field against Pakistan in tri-series opener
-
Dozens of orangutans saved from Indonesia blazes as region grapples with haze
-
'Like we had a war': France counts cost of violent protests
-
Pope addresses crowd in Vatican after cancer surgery
-
Chelsea keeper Martinez 'back in a few weeks' after jaw fracture
-
Russia-US diesel deal delivery to take 15-20 days: Russia
-
France counts cost of violent protests, 1,800 arrested
-
China's Yin wins in Shanghai for back-to-back LPGA titles
-
Court to rule on first climate lawsuit against Italian state
-
After a year in turmoil, the Louvre faces uncertain future
-
Vietnam signs free trade deal with four European nations
-
Dozens of orangutans saved from Indonesia blazes
-
One million migrating raptors dodge illegal hunters above Georgia's Black Sea coast
-
Ordinary day, extraordinary times: Kyiv under Russian attack
-
Rays defeat Guardians to level MLB playoff series
-
What is holding up the US-India trade deal?
-
Western brands under pressure as 'pre-owned' luxury booms in China
-
Oxygen tanks, purifier sales spike as haze crisis hits Southeast Asia
-
'Never seen anything like it': mass looting grips Paris
-
Messi brace lifts Inter Miami to 3-1 win in Atlanta
-
All Blacks back on track after South Africa wake-up
-
Japan to launch historic round-trip mission to Mars moon
-
Met Opera goes for big and bold, despite shaky finances
-
Musk back in the spotlight, but politics dims the awe
-
Hollywood's fresh take on tech titans: from heroes to villains
-
England Rugby League World Cup hopes hang by a thread
-
St. Louis City's unbeaten MLS run ends at 19, Union's reaches 15
-
Williams lifts Valkyries past Dream in WNBA Finals opener
-
NFL Eagles bench Hurts at least a month with blood clot
-
Dubois destroys Wardley to retain WBO heavyweight crown
-
Across US, 'No Kings' events seek to boost early voting
-
Oregon families grapple with explaining school shooting to children
-
Tents spring up in Lisbon as Portugal housing protests spread
-
Israeli settlers attack European diplomats, beat French mayor
-
'Best in world' Yamal powers Barca to Betis rout, Atletico strike late
-
Town hall in Limoges 'largely lost' to blaze set during French protests
-
El Salvador's Bukele puts conditions on early release of gang prisoners
-
US goes on the offensive in central Asia
-
Fire rages at town hall in France's Limoges after protests: authorities
-
Emotional Lions come up short in Champions Cup as tributes paid to Andrews
-
Unstoppable Barca thrash Betis to extend perfect start
-
Diaz dazzles as Bayern batter Leipzig to go top
-
Maresca faces anxious wait over Haaland injury scare
-
Inter move clear at Serie A summit with Bologna win
-
PSG fight back to beat Strasbourg after Dembele penalty miss
-
Liverpool still have 'lots to improve', says match-winner Isak
-
Looting, blazes and clashes in France amid nationwide protests
-
Looters ransack shops during France cost-of-living protests
-
Walsh breaks her own 50 free world short course record
-
Leinster thump Clermont as grieving Lions set for Champions Cup debut
-
Haaland brace extends Man City's winning start in Premier League
Sri Lanka choose to field against Pakistan in tri-series opener
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to field against Pakistan in the opening one-day international of a tri-series in Rawalpindi.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to field against Pakistan in the opening one-day international of a tri-series in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan's captain Shaheen Shah Afridi listens to a reporter's question during a press conference regarding Tri-Nation one-day international series, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to field against Pakistan in the opening ODI of tri-series on Sunday.
The tournament, also featuring England, is part of teams’ build-up for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan awarded an ODI debut to 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, who has scored 501 runs in 15 List A games.
Captain Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf and Salman Ali Agha return to ODIs after being left out of preceding T20 series against Sri Lanka which Pakistan won 2-1 at the same Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The focus will be on Pakistan’s premier batter Babar, who has scored just one ODI century since August 2023 when he made 102 not out against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi last year.
Sri Lanka, which was beaten 2-1 by England in the last ODI series, have recalled Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka for the ODIs as they look for right combination.
The visitors, already without injured Wanindu Hasaranga for the tri-series, left out Maheesh Theekshana and preferred leg-break bowler Sachindu Colombage as the only specialist spinner in the playing XI.
Rawalpindi will host three games before the tournament moves to Lahore, which also hosts the final on Oct.
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig, 5 Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (captain), Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.
Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (captain), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Sachindu Colombage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
O.Karlsson--AMWN
