World Cup 2023: Sri Lanka opts to bat first against Pakistan after winning the toss

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat against Pakistan in the World Cup match being played at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in India on Tuesday.

• Nissanka, Mendis batting with intent after Sri Lanka lost Perera early; 58-1 after 10 overs

This is the second game of World Cup 2023 for both sides.

Pakistan has brought in Abdullah Shafique to replace out of form Fakhar Zaman. While Sri Lanka has replaced Kasun Rajitha with Maheesh Theekshana.

Post toss, Sri Lankan team captain Dasun Shanaka said: “We are going to bat first since we saw some turn in the later part of the game in the last couple of games. It was so pleasing to get some runs and I worked hard for that and was happy to get going in the tournament. One change: Theekshana comes in for Rajitha. We need to hit the right areas and hit the yorkers and variations.”

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said: “Pitch looks dry and good. The first 10 overs will be very crucial for us. We’ve been here for one-and-a-half weeks. We know the wicket and the outfield. One change: Shafique comes in for Fakhar. We have a good record against Sri Lanka [in the World Cup].”

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka