Pakistan team Head Coach Misbah ul Haq has ruled out major changes in the playing XI against Sri Lanka and hinted at fielding a similar team how it was in World Cup 2019.
According to Daily Jang, there will only be two changes to the side that takes the field against Sri Lanka in the first ODI at the National Stadium Karachi on Friday.
Fakhar Zaman and Imamul Haq are likely to keep opening responsibility, Babar Azam will purportedly bat at one-down position, followed by Haris Sohail.
The biggest surprise, perhaps, comes in the form of the batting order, with head coach Misbahul Haq having assigned the number five slot for captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Following Sarfaraz will be recalled batsman Iftikhar Ahmed — one of the two changes in store.
The spin bowling all-rounders’ spots will continue to be occupied by Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan, whereas Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Usman Shinwari will split fast bowling duties.
Shinwari will be the like-for-like replacement of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has been rested for the series after contracting dengue virus during the off-season.
