{
  "id": 15239665,
  "title": "Pakistan, Sri Lanka look to find the right mix as World Cup countdown begins",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/pakistan-sri-lanka-look-to-find-the-right-mix-as-world-cup-countdown-15239665",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-17T15:30:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/pakistan-sri-lanka-look-to-find-the-right-mix-as-world-cup-countdown-begins/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Title: Pakistan and Sri Lanka prepare for World Cup with new strategies\n\nPakistan and Sri Lanka are working hard to find the right balance as the World Cup countdown begins. While both teams have had mixed results this year, both sides are focused on improving their white-ball squads ahead of the tournament set to begin on October 2 next year.\n\nSri Lanka has had a tough time recently, losing 22 matches to just 10 wins. Their latest victory, however, came courtesy of captain Kusal Mendis, who scored an impressive 87 not out off 48 balls. However, the match was a dead rubber as Pakistan had already secured the T20I series.\n\nPakistan has also had its share of struggles, but they have managed to secure victories against Australia in the recent ODI series. They have discovered a young talent in left-arm spinner and lower-order batter Arafat Minhas, who took seven wickets at an average of 12.28. Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed also had excellent bowling performances in the series.\n\nWith the World Cup just over a year away, both teams are working on their strategies and player selections. Pakistan has several players to trial, while Sri Lanka has been experimenting with its squad. Lahiru Udara, who had a good T20I innings against West Indies, has surged into ODI contention, while Avishka Fernando might be called up to the XI.\n\nPakistan's batting options include Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Babar Azam, and Salman Ali Agha. Their bowling lineup features Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf. Sri Lanka's potential XI includes Lahiru Udara, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (captain and wicket-keeper), Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige/Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Asitha Fernando.",
  "summary": "Sri Lanka’s men begin this match having won an international in the past week. This is more significant than it sounds. Their 2026 has been abysmal, with the team losing 22 matches to the 10 they have won. New captain Kusal Mendis had carried his team to that victory with his 87 not out off […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ESPNcricinfo",
        "title": "Pakistan, Sri Lanka look to find the right mix as World Cup countdown begins",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/pakistan-sri-lanka-look-to-find-the-right-mix-as-world-cup-countdown",
        "published": "2026-10-17T13:29:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}