Stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to field in the second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. The series was disrupted after a suicide bombing in Islamabad killed 12 people hours before the opening match, but Sri Lanka remained on the tour following security assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board. Shaheen Shah Afridi missed out with a fever, Mohammad Wasim was added to Pakistan’s squad and Abrar Ahmed returned to the XI. Sri Lanka replaced Maheesh Theekshana with Pramod Madushan.
Pakistan Elect to Field in Second ODI Against Sri Lanka After Tense Lead-up in Islamabad
Stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to field in the second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. The series was disrupted after a suicide bombing in Islamabad killed 12 people hours before the opening match, but Sri Lanka remained on the tour following security assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board. Shaheen Shah Afridi missed out with a fever, Mohammad Wasim was added to Pakistan’s squad and Abrar Ahmed returned to the XI. Sri Lanka replaced Maheesh Theekshana with Pramod Madushan.
03:22 PM, 11/14/2025Security
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan — Pakistan elect to field in second ODI
Stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to field in Friday’s second One-Day International against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
The series had been thrown into doubt after a suicide bombing in Islamabad killed 12 people outside a court just hours before Tuesday’s opening match in nearby Rawalpindi. Sri Lanka’s squad initially sought to leave the country, but Sri Lanka Cricket instructed the team to remain after receiving security assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board. The remaining two ODIs were rescheduled for Friday and Sunday.
Agha is captaining in place of regular ODI skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was sidelined with a fever and replaced in the squad by Mohammad Wasim. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed returned to the XI after missing the first match through illness, coming in for all-rounder Faheem Ashraf. Sri Lanka made one change as well, leaving out spinner Maheesh Theekshana and adding left-arm quick Pramod Madushan.
Lineups
Pakistan:
- Fakhar Zaman
- Saim Ayub
- Babar Azam
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Salman Ali Agha (captain)
- Hussain Talat
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Wasim
- Haris Rauf
- Naseem Shah
- Abrar Ahmed
Sri Lanka:
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kamil Mishara
- Kusal Mendis
- Sadeera Samarawickrama
- Charith Asalanka (captain)
- Janith Liyanage
- Kamindu Mendis
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Pramod Madushan
- Asitha Fernando
Despite the tense circumstances off the field, both teams prepared to contest the second ODI after security assurances and a revised schedule.
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