Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam Reach Islamabad Ahead of Home ODI Tri-Series

Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and England will begin on Thursday, with the team scheduled to train at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ahead of their opening match on 18 October.

The Pakistan ODI squad arrived in Islamabad with seven players, including captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, checking into the team hotel. Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Ali Agha, Haris Rauf, Saad Baig and wicketkeeper Muhammad Ghazi Ghori were also among the arrivals.

Pakistan will begin the tournament against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi before facing England at the same venue on 20 October. The opening phase will conclude with Sri Lanka taking on England on 22 October.

The tri-series will feature six league matches across Rawalpindi and Lahore, followed by the final on 31 October. After the first three fixtures in Rawalpindi, the teams will move to Lahore, where Pakistan face England on 25 October and Sri Lanka on 27 October.

Sri Lanka and England will play the final league match on 29 October at Gaddafi Stadium. The two teams finishing highest in the standings will qualify for the final at the same venue.

Shaheen to Lead 16-Member Pakistan ODI Squad

Shaheen will captain a 16-member lineup that includes established players Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan. The squad also features Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Razaullah, Saad Baig and Sufiyan Moqim.

Pakistan enters the ODI competition after winning their recent three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka 2-1. Sahibzada Farhan led Pakistan in that series, with the hosts winning the first two matches before Sri Lanka secured victory in the final game.