In a must-win encounter at Rawalpindi, Sri Lanka chose to bowl first after winning the toss, as they aim to level the three-match T20 series against Pakistan. The venue historically favours teams that chase, a fact Pakistan capitalized on, claiming victory in the first match with seven deliveries remaining.
For this second match, Pakistan have made a strategic alteration to their playing XI by introducing left-arm fast bowler Salman Mirza, replacing the right-arm Razaullah. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have opted for a more significant reshuffle by making three changes to their squad.
Top-order batsman Sineth Jayawardena takes his place in the team, alongside allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe and left-arm seamer Binura Fernando. Kamil Mishara, Dunith Wellalage, and pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera step down for this game. Chameera, who recently returned from injury, was notably pricey in the previous match, conceding 40 runs in just three overs.
“Making these changes is crucial for us to get the balance right,” Sri Lanka’s captain Kusal Mendis remarked, underlining their strategy ahead of this vital fixture. The weather is looking favourable, ensuring conditions should complement both sides’ plans.
Expected line-ups are as follows:
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Imran, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Udara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.
Cricket fans await an engaging contest as both sides tussle in Rawalpindi, with Sri Lanka striving to keep the series alive tactically and Pakistan looking to seal it with a game to spare.
