Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series on Tuesday, November 11, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The match will begin at 2:00 PM local time, marking the start of Sri Lanka’s limited-overs tour of Pakistan.
Match Details (in points)
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Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan 2025
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Date: November 11, 2025
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Time: 2:00 PM (Local), 3:00 PM (IST)
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Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
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Broadcast: Sony Sports (India), Sky Sports (UK), SuperSport (South Africa), Fox Sports (Australia), Willow (USA), Ten Sports & PTV Sports (Pakistan)
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Streaming: Sony Liv, FanCode (India), Willow App (USA), SuperSport App (South Africa), PTV Sports website & app (Pakistan)
Team Overviews
Pakistan
Pakistan enters this ODI series looking to build consistency. They have played 14 ODIs this year and managed just four wins, reflecting a mixed run of form. However, their recent home series win against South Africa by 2-1 has given the side some confidence ahead of this contest. The team has also made a notable decision by dropping young batter Hasan Nawaz from both the ODI and T20I squads for the month.
Under Shaheen Afridi’s leadership, Pakistan will aim to start strong at home. The batting remains dependent on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, while Saim Ayub’s recent form at the top gives hope for aggressive starts. The bowling attack, featuring Shaheen, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed, has the firepower but will need discipline against a steady Sri Lankan lineup.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka arrive in Pakistan with momentum. Their last ODI appearance came against Zimbabwe, where they clinched both matches comfortably. With Charith Asalanka leading the side, Sri Lanka will rely heavily on their spin unit, especially Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. The batting group has shown improvement, with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis capable of anchoring long innings.
This tour is an opportunity for Sri Lanka to test their depth and prepare for bigger tournaments ahead. Their confidence and recent form make them a competitive opponent for the hosts.
Head-to-Head in ODIs
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have met 157 times in this format. Pakistan lead the battle with 93 wins, while Sri Lanka have secured 59 victories. Four matches ended with no result, and one ended in a tie. The rivalry dates back to June 14, 1975, and the most recent ODI between the sides was played on October 10, 2023.
Probable Playing XIs (Latest Available Squad)
Pakistan
Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Pramod Madushan
Pitch Report
The Rawalpindi surface is expected to offer good batting conditions, especially under daylight. The new ball might swing for a few overs, but once settled, batters can play their shots freely. Dew is likely in the evening, making the ball slippery and aiding chasing teams. Captains winning the toss are expected to bowl first to take advantage of early movement and easier conditions later.
Key Players to Watch
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Saim Ayub (Pakistan): After a strong comeback against South Africa, the left-hander will look to continue his attacking style.
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Babar Azam (Pakistan): The anchor and the most reliable top-order batter for the home side.
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Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): The top wicket-taker in the Asia Cup who can trouble Pakistan with his variations.
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Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka): His role as wicketkeeper-batter will be important in setting a platform for the visitors.
Probable Scenarios
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Early swing could trouble top-order batters on both sides.
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Spinners are likely to dominate in the middle overs as the pitch slows down.
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Dew may make defending totals difficult in the second innings.
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A score around 260–280 should be competitive, but anything below 240 may be chaseable.
Match Prediction
Considering the pitch, recent form, and dew factor, the team bowling first holds the advantage. Pakistan’s home conditions and stronger pace attack give them a slight edge, but Sri Lanka’s spin strength keeps the contest balanced. Overall, this match looks 50-50 on paper, with the chasing side likely to win.