Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first against England in the One-Day International (ODI) tri-nation series match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis said the possibility of dew later in the match influenced his decision to bowl first.
“ I think a little bit of dew will come in the second innings that’s why I’ve chosen to bowl first,” Mendis said.
He added that his team would need to manage the opening overs carefully and bat through the innings if chasing a target of around 300 runs.
Sri Lanka made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Dunith Wellalage in place of Sachindu Colombage.
England captain Harry Brook said his side had also planned to bat first if they had won the toss.
Brook described the pitch as slightly drier and harder, expressing hope that England would post a competitive total and put Sri Lanka under pressure.
England made two changes to their line-up, with Liam Dawson and Josh Tongue replacing Adil Rashid and Sonny Baker.
Reflecting on England’s previous defeat to Pakistan, Brook said his side needed to improve their approach against spin bowling during the middle overs.
The match is part of the ODI tri-nation series featuring hosts Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka.
Playing XIs
Sri Lanka: Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (captain and wicketkeeper), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
England: Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jordan Cox (wicketkeeper), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue.
In the previous match, Pakistan defeated England by 87 runs in the second One-Day International (ODI) of the tri-nation series in Rawalpindi after England won the toss and elected to bowl first, putting Pakistan in to bat.
