Dawn
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06:09 Nov 11, 2025
RAWALPINDI: After beating a depleted South African side 2-1 in the recently-concluded One-day International series, Pakistan will take on a stronger Sri Lankan outfit in another three-match rubber here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from Tuesday. The series win against South Africa marked a successful beginning to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s fresh stint as the new Pakistan captain, having replaced Mohammad Rizwan last month in an abrupt manner. The Sri Lanka challenge will be different for the pacer, given that he won his maiden ODI series as skipper with first-choice players at his disposal against a South African team missing the likes of senior pros Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markam, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj. The Islanders, led by Charith Asalanka, in contrast, arrive in Rawalpindi with a full-strength team and a top form in the format — having won the last six of their seven ODI series, including those against the strong India and Australia to rise to fourth in the International Cricket Council ODI ranki...