Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI Preview: A Clash of Momentum and Spin in Rawalpindi

As the floodlights prepare to illuminate the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 11, 2025, Pakistan and Sri Lanka lock horns in the opening encounter of a three-match ODI series that carries echoes of their storied subcontinental rivalry. Fresh off a hard-fought 2-1 series triumph over South Africa at home, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Pakistan side enters as favourites on familiar turf, while Charith Asalanka’s Sri Lanka aims to harness their spin arsenal on pitches expected to offer turn and grip as the series progresses.

#### Match Schedule PAK vs SL 1st ODI

The entire series will be contested at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, known for its batting-friendly decks early on but with a history of assisting spinners in the middle overs (average first-innings score: 242).

– **1st ODI**: November 11, 2025 (Tuesday) – 2:30 PM IST (2:00 PM PKT)

– **2nd ODI**: November 13, 2025 (Thursday) – 2:30 PM IST

– **3rd ODI**: November 15, 2025 (Saturday) – 2:30 PM IST

All matches are day-night affairs, with live streaming available in Pakistan on PTV Sports and Tamasha App.

#### Head-to-Head Stats PAK vs SL ODI

Pakistan have historically dominated Sri Lanka in ODIs, winning 86 of the 155 encounters, with Sri Lanka claiming 63 victories, 1 tie, and 5 no-results. The Men in Green have been particularly ruthless in bilateral series on home soil, including a 2-0 whitewash in their last ODI meeting in 2019. Recent high-profile clashes add intrigue: Sri Lanka stunned Pakistan by 2 wickets in the 2023 Asia Cup Super Four, but Pakistan exacted revenge with a 6-wicket win in the 2023 ODI World Cup. In World Cup history alone, Pakistan hold an unbeaten 8-0 record against the Lions.

#### ICC ODI Team Rankings (as of early November 2025)

Pakistan sit comfortably at **5th** with a rating of around 101, buoyed by their recent series win over South Africa. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, higher in the standings (4th in recent updates), reflecting inconsistent form but with potent spin threats that could disrupt higher-ranked sides on turning tracks.

#### Probable Playing XI PAK vs SL 1st ODI

**Pakistan** (continuing the momentum from the South Africa series, with a balanced pace-spin attack):

Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf/Mohammad Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf.

*Key notes*: Naseem Shah’s return strengthens the pace battery, while mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed could exploit any assistance from the pitch. Fakhar Zaman’s experience edges out younger options at the top.

**Sri Lanka** (spin-heavy lineup suited to expected conditions, but batting remains a concern):

Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara/Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera/Asitha Fernando.

*Key notes*: Debutant Lahiru Udara may open, with a trio of world-class spinners (Hasaranga, Theekshana, Vandersay) likely to target Pakistan’s middle-order vulnerabilities. Pace options are thinned by injuries to Dilshan Madushanka and others.

#### Preview Analysis PAK vs SL 1st ODI

Pakistan’s confidence is sky-high after clinching the decider against South Africa, where their top-order resilience and pace trio of Shaheen, Naseem, and Haris shone. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will be keen to convert starts into big scores, while Saim Ayub’s emerging all-round utility adds depth. Home conditions and superior ranking make them overwhelming favourites, but complacency against Sri Lanka’s spin web—led by the irrepressible Wanindu Hasaranga—could prove costly.

For Sri Lanka, this series is a litmus test post-Asia Cup disappointments. Pathum Nissanka’s elegance at the top and Asalanka’s leadership will be pivotal, but their batting fragility (evident in recent collapses) might be exposed by Pakistan’s seamers on a lively Rawalpindi surface. If the pitch slows down, however, Hasaranga and Theekshana could orchestrate a upset, much like they did in Karachi back in 2019.

**Prediction**: Pakistan start strong with a victory by 40-60 runs or 5-7 wickets, leveraging home advantage and superior firepower. But expect a fiercely contested middle overs battle—cricket’s charm in its purest subcontinental form. Buckle up for what promises to be a tantalising series opener!