Last Updated on 5 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Pakistan are in action immediately after their ODI series victory against South Africa. The hosts now take on Sri Lanka in a three-match series starting Tuesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka are having a solid year in ODIs. Charith Asalanka’s team have won their past three series, beating Australia (2-0), Bangladesh (2-1) and Zimbabwe (2-0). This includes seven wins in their past eight matches.

For Pakistan, they had some shaky moments against an inexperienced South Africa team. However, they stepped up when it mattered to win the series. Abrar Ahmed improved as the series went on as the spinners dominated.

Spin is expected to play a key role again in Rawalpindi. Both teams have experienced and skillful spinners who will be aiming to turn the game in their favour. A good start to the series will be important for both sides.

PAK vs SL 1st ODI 2025 Possible Playing XIs

Pakistan dropped Hasan Nawaz from their squad. The hosts could stick with the same team that won the third ODI against South Africa on Saturday.

Pakistan: 1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Saim Ayub, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5. Salman Agha, 6. Hussain Talat, 7. Mohammad Nawaz, 8. Faheem Ashraf, 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), 10. Abrar Ahmed, 11. Haris Rauf/Naseem Shah

Sri Lanka have the option of opening with Kusal Mendis and handing a debut to Pavan Rathnayake at number four or five. Rathnayake has 2,510 List A runs at an average of 44.82 and strike rate of 92.51.

Another solution is opening with Kamil Mishara, who played in the recent Asia Cup. Mishara has 1,794 List A runs at an average of 40.77 and strike rate of 78.47.

On the bowling front, Dilshan Madushanka is not in the squad due to a knee injury. Also, Matheesha Pathirana is unavailable due to an infection, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

Sri Lanka: 1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Kamil Mishara, 3. Kusal Mendis (wk), 4. Sadeera Samarawickrama/Pavan Rathnayake, 5. Charith Asalanka (c), 6. Kamindu Mendis, 7. Wanindu Hasaranga, 8. Janith Liyanage, 9. Dushmantha Chameera, 10. Maheesh Theekshana, 11. Asitha Fernando

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

Rawalpindi aided the spinners in the recent Pakistan-South Africa Test. However, this ground is often a good one for batting in limited overs cricket.

In the Champions Trophy, New Zealand (240/5) beat Bangladesh (236/9) with 23 balls to spare. Michael Bracewell (4/26) won player of the match, but it was a good batting surface.

In three ODIs since the start of 2023, the average first innings score is 286.67 with the chasing team winning all three. There were also six List A games on this ground last year in the President’s Cup Grade-I (1-Day) tournament. The average first innings score was 258.83 (run rate 5.53), with teams batting first and second winning three games each.

A beautiful, sunny day is forecast with a top of about 25 degrees. There is the possibility of dew in the second innings.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for PAK vs SL 1st ODI 2025: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Pick Mohammad Rizwan in your Dream11 teams with confidence. Rizwan has scored 353 runs against Sri Lanka at an average of 176.50 and strike rate of 109.62.
• Kusal Mendis has a century and half-century in five ODIs against Pakistan. Overall, Mendis has 252 runs at an average of 50.40 and strike rate of 112.

Key batter picks:

• Pathum Nissanka is picked in 84.92% of Dream11 teams. He is one of Sri Lanka’s top batters. Since the start of 2023, Nissanka has struck 2,169 ODI runs at an average of 46.1 and strike rate of 92.3.
• Babar Azam has struggled for consistent form but enjoys playing against Sri Lanka with three centuries in 11 innings. He has 535 runs at an average of 53.50.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Wanindu Hasaranga is selected in over 90% of Dream11 teams and with good reason. He hasn’t played Pakistan in an ODI since 2019 but offers plenty of fantasy value as he is a crucial bowler and can provide lower order runs.
• Saim Ayub is a top Dream11 captaincy pick for this match. He had an excellent all-round series against South Africa, scoring 169 runs and taking two wickets.
• Charith Asalanka is a consistent performer in ODIs. He has 1,867 runs since 2023 at an average of 42.4 and strike rate of 91.6. In fact, he is averaging above 50 since the beginning of 2024. Also, Asalanka should fill in with some overs.

Key bowler picks:

• Abrar Ahmed’s battle against the Sri Lankan batting lineup will make for interesting viewing. He took the most wickets (7) in the recent South Africa series.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi hasn’t been in the best of form recently but has wicket-taking potential in the powerplay and death overs. He can also provide runs down the order.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Salman Agha had a terrific series against South Africa, scoring 136 runs and taking two wickets. He is suited to the ODI format. Overall in 2025, Agha has scored 556 runs at an average of 42.76 and strike rate of 90.11.
• Asitha Fernando has the sixth-most wickets in ODIs this year (22) at an average of 17.36 and strike rate of 18.81.
• Mohammad Nawaz can be a good differential pick. The all-rounder scored 59 and took 2/31 in his last two ODIs.
• Dushmantha Chameera bowls in the crunch overs, especially the death. This can bring about wicket-taking opportunities.
• Fakhar Zaman bats when conditions are often the best. He has 332 ODI runs at an average of 36.88 and strike rate of 36.88.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head in ODIs: 157 matches, Pakistan 93, Sri Lanka 59, 1 tie, 4 N/R.
• Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in their 2019 home ODI series.
• Babar Azam has scored 335 runs at an average of 83.75 and strike rate of 101.82 in ODIs at Rawalpindi.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi vs Kusal Mendis: 36 balls, 45 runs, no wickets.

PAK vs SL 1st ODI 2025 Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

PAK vs SL 1st ODI 2025 Match Prediction: Who will win?

A match that can go either way. Logically, either team can win this. The chasing team could hold the edge on a ground that often favours batting second.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo and Cricmetric.