Saad Baig handed debut as Sri Lanka win toss, bowl first in ODI tri-series opener against Pakistan

Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi made the announcement that Saad Baig would make his One-Day International debut as Sri Lanka opted to field first in the tri-series opener against the hosts at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Baig, the wicket-keeper-batter, had his ODI and Test debuts earlier this year, replacing fellow wicket-keeper Ghazai Ghori in the team.

The tri-series serves as the final stage of preparation for Pakistan's 50-over World Cup campaign, which will see the team seeking to end its nine-year International Cricket Council trophy drought. Under the leadership of fast bowler Shaheen Ahmed, Pakistan's ODI side has focused on rebuilding, winning all their home series. The match conditions are expected to present different challenges as the pitches have been prepared to resemble those in South Africa, with the surfaces appearing greener during Pakistan's recent T20I series against Sri Lanka.

The pitch preparation was deliberate to encourage lateral movement and bounce. Senior players Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah have also expressed their focus on the World Cup, emphasizing the importance of bringing a trophy back to Pakistan.