Sri Lanka also undergo training at the Pindi Stadium; England set to arrive today
Pakistan on Thursday underwent tough training session at the Pindi Stadium Rawalpindi to fine-tune for the ODI tri-series which will start on Sunday.
Sri Lanka also did training while England were scheduled to arrive on Friday morning, as per the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Pakistan’s players did batting, bowling and fielding practice under the supervision of head coach Mike Hesson who recently led his side to a 2-1 win over Sri Lanka in the T20I series at Rawalpindi.
Pakistan will be led by ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. Star batsman Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf will also be seen in the series.
Pakistan team assembled at Islamabad on Wednesday night for the most important assignment which will help all three sides to prepare for next year’s World Cup to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
As many as nine players, who recently were also part of the T20I series, will also be seen in action in Pakistan’s team for the tri-series which will be hosted by Pindi and Lahore.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said the team had made progress in ODI cricket over the past six months but would need to maintain that momentum.
“Our one-day side made some good progress in the last six months. We’ve got to continue that,” Hesson told reporters after Pakistan lost the third T20I to Sri Lanka.
“Certainly, against the Sri Lankan side, who would have got some confidence, and obviously an England side who’s currently number one in the world. So, it’s going to be a tough tri-series, one we’re looking forward to,” Hesson said.
Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah, meanwhile, is looking to build on his return to the ODI squad. The paceman claimed three wickets for 36 runs in four overs in Pakistan’s opening T20I against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi on October 9.
“You change a lot as a human being and as a cricketer as you get matured and you gain experience,” Naseem said.
“You also learn a lot through ups and downs in life. You bowl with express pace when you are young and new in the sport, but now I think that you also need to have some sense in terms of what you are trying to do,” said the pacer.
Pakistan’s recent ODI record offers grounds for optimism. The Green-shirts whitewashed Sri Lanka 3-0 at home in November 2025, then beat South Africa 2-1 in another home series. They lost 2-1 away to Bangladesh in March 2026 before responding with a 2-1 home series victory over Australia in May and June.
England will arrive on the back of three consecutive ODI series victories against Sri Lanka and India at home and Sri Lanka away. Sri Lanka, by contrast, have lost three of their last four series.
The series begins in Rawalpindi before moving to Lahore, where the final will be played on October 31.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka faced a setback with opener Pathum Nissanka ruled out of the tri-series as he awaits medical clearance following a left hamstring injury sustained during the recent tour of England. Lahiru Udara has been named as his replacement.
Lahiru is also in sublime form and had blasted 91 in the first T20I in Pindi on October 9 to single-handedly guide the visitors to 182. However, Pakistan chased that target with seven balls to spare.
The tri-series will be held under double league round robin format with the top two teams progressing to the October 31 final.
Squads
Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Moqim.
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (captain, wk), Lahiru Udara, Avishka Fernando, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga.
England: Harry Brook (captain), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Josh Tongue.
Tri-series schedule
October 18: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka — Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
October 20: Pakistan vs England — Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
October 22: Sri Lanka vs England — Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
October 25: Pakistan vs England — Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
October 27: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka — Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
October 29: Sri Lanka vs England — Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
October 31: Final — Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore