Experiment or stick with the winning XI? Pakistan face selection dilemma ahead of second Sri Lanka T20I

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are playing the second match of a three-game Twenty20 international series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 11. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field, according to reports from Ada Derana and Dawn Sport. Pakistan entered the match leading 1-0 after winning the opener.

In the first match on Friday, Pakistan chased Sri Lanka’s 182 for eight, reaching 187 for six in 18.5 overs to win by four wickets with seven balls remaining. Captain Sahibzada Farhan made 89 from 53 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes. Maaz Sadaqat scored 50 from 29 deliveries, and their 92-run partnership for the second wicket helped put Pakistan in control. Pakistan had earlier lost Fakhar Zaman for 21 after an opening stand of 54.

Sri Lanka briefly applied pressure late in the chase, taking three wickets as Pakistan moved from 146 for two to 156 for four. Farhan remained at the crease and guided the chase through its final overs. Maaz said after the game that he intended to continue backing his natural approach and was willing to bat wherever the team needed him. Farhan praised Maaz’s current form, according to Dawn Sport.

Selection remained a focus ahead of the second game. ESPNcricinfo reported that Pakistan made one change, bringing in left-arm fast bowler Salman Mirza for Razaullah, and that Sri Lanka made three changes. Dawn Sport had framed Pakistan’s selection as a question of whether to retain the winning XI or experiment. It also noted that Maaz could remain at number three or be tried as an opener.

Dawn Sport reported that Maaz’s strong recent run included 363 runs in seven Caribbean Premier League matches last month, at a strike rate close to 175, with two centuries. An earlier Thinakaran preview said Sri Lanka were without opener Pathum Nissanka and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga because of injuries, and had lost their preceding T20I series against England 0-3. That preview also gave Sri Lanka’s record against Pakistan as 12 wins and 18 losses in 30 T20Is, while noting four wins in seven matches played in Pakistan.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.