Unbeaten Pakistan are all set to take on Sri Lanka in the fifth match of the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, 27 October.
Pakistan have played three matches in the tri-series – two against England and one against Sri Lanka. The hosts have won all three matches and have already qualified for the final, scheduled to take place at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, 31 October.
In their previous encounter against Sri Lanka in the tournament, Pakistan registered a 37-run win courtesy of Salman Ali Agha’s 107 off 90 balls, which included nine fours and a six. With the ball, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi led from the front, taking three wickets.
The left-arm fast bowler, who has taken seven wickets in three matches in the tournament so far, became the fastest Pakistan pacer to reach 150 ODI wickets when he dismissed Tom Banton in the first over of Sunday’s match against England.
Shaheen has taken 20 wickets in seven ODIs at Gaddafi Stadium, including two four-wicket hauls. He requires four more wickets to become the leading wicket-taker in ODIs at the venue, surpassing former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram’s tally of 23 wickets in 18 matches.
Tuesday’s fixture will mark the 162nd ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Of the previous 161 encounters, Pakistan have won 97, while Sri Lanka have emerged victorious on 59 occasions. One match ended in a tie, while four produced no result.
On Sunday evening, Pakistan secured a thrilling one-wicket win over England, courtesy of a maiden ODI century from Shadab Khan (113 not out, 96b, 13x4s, 5x6s). Shadab shared an unbeaten record 89-run partnership for the 10th wicket with Haris Rauf (7 not out, 19b, 1×4) to guide Pakistan to a memorable win.
Following the win, Shadab and Haris in an exclusive conversation with PCB Digital reflected on their match-winning partnership and the belief that helped them steer Pakistan to a sensational win.
Shadab Khan said: “There was obviously a lot of pressure, but we kept encouraging each other and tried to keep the atmosphere light.
“As a senior player, the backing and confidence of the team management and selectors mean a great deal. I am grateful that they continued to believe in me and I was able to repay that faith.”
Haris Rauf said: “I had belief right from the beginning that we could win the match. I kept telling Shadab to have faith and remain confident. Towards the end, I told him that I would finish the match myself and thankfully, we were able to get Pakistan over the line.
“We managed to secure a memorable win for Pakistan. Winning such a closely contested match is a special feeling and we are delighted to have brought happiness to the people of Pakistan.”