Wicket-keeper-batter Saad Baig was handed his Pakistan debut as Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first in the One-day International tri-series opener against the hosts at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Former under-19 captain Saad has stayed in and out of Pakistan contention over the last couple of years especially after hitting 1000 runs in the 2025-26 season of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy — the countries premier first-class competition.
The left-hander is picked over fellow wicket-keeper Ghazi Ghori, who had his ODI and Test debuts earlier this year.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Shadab Khan and spinner Sufyan Moqim were ruled out of the first match due to illness, the Pakistan Cricket Board said.
“Both the players are receiving treatment under the supervision of team’s medical staff,” read an update by the PCB.
“Their progress will be monitored and they will be considered for selection in the upcoming matches owing to their recovery.”
The tri-series marks the commencement of Pakistan’s final phase of preparation for next year’s 50-over World Cup, with the side looking to end its nine-year International Cricket Council trophy drought.
Under Shaheen, Pakistan’s ODI side has spent the past year rebuilding, winning all their home series in the process.
Those assignments were played on slower surfaces, with spin-friendly pitches used most recently during the series against Australia in May and June.
The conditions for the tri-series, however, are expected to offer a different challenge, with pitches being prepared to better resemble those in South Africa.
The surfaces appeared greener during Pakistan’s recent T20I series against Sri Lanka, and Shaheen confirmed that there had been a deliberate effort to encourage lateral movement and bounce.
“Over the course of the last four one-day series, we have tried to build this team, since our focus is on [next year’s] World Cup and how we can prepare for it,” he said. “Henceforth we have also tried to prepare the wickets accordingly.”
Fellow senior pros Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah have also spoken over the past week on how the World Cup will remain on the back of the minds of the Pakistan players.
“We know it’s been quite a while since we’ve won a major tournament,” Fakhar had said.
“We’ve reached finals and played in semi-finals, too.
“But, obviously, the happiness you feel as a nation when you win a trophy is something you don’t get simply by reaching finals or semi-finals, no matter how many you play.
“We’ve sat down and discussed this at length, and many of the players are taking it very seriously. God willing, we’ll give it our best, and we hope for Allah’s help as well. We’ll make every effort to bring this trophy back to Pakistan.”
Teams:
PAKISTAN: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf 9 Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
SRI LANKA: Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (captain/wicket-keeper), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Sachindu Colombage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka