Pakistan vs Sri Lanka fantasy Prediction, Fantasy Tips and Preview — 1st ODI, ODI Tri Series in Pakistan 2026

Match Details: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, ODI Tri Series in Pakistan 2026, Sunday 18 October 2026, 2:00 PM IST (1:30 PM local time), Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

This is the first game of the tri series with Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England. Each team plays the other two twice, and the top two meet in the final in Lahore on 31 October. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in the T20I series at this same ground last week.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Recent Form

Pakistan (last 3 ODIs, all against Australia at home):

• 4 Jun, Lahore: Won by 4 wickets. Australia 157 all out, Pakistan 161/6. Shaheen Afridi 3/30, Abrar Ahmed 2/19, Babar Azam 40 off 84.
• 2 Jun, Lahore: Lost by 41 runs. Australia 231/9, Pakistan 190 all out. Shadab Khan 71 off 104, Shaheen 3/36, Arafat Minhas 2/27.
• 30 May, Rawalpindi: Won by 5 wickets. Australia 200 all out, Pakistan 202/5. Arafat Minhas 5/32, Babar 69 off 94, Ghazi Ghori 65 off 91.

Sri Lanka (last 3 ODIs, all in England):

• 27 Sep, The Oval: Lost by 223 runs. England 355/7, Sri Lanka 132 all out. Kusal Mendis 35 off 26.
• 24 Sep, Headingley: Won by 16 runs. Sri Lanka 321/6, England 305/9. Kusal Mendis 121 off 100, Kamindu Mendis 54 off 65, Pavan Rathnayake 48 not out off 39, Dunith Wellalage 3/49.
• 22 Sep, Chester le Street: Lost by 89 runs. England 265 all out, Sri Lanka 176 all out. Wellalage 45 off 36, Sachindu Colombage 3/44, Asitha Fernando 3/53.

Points Table

This is the first match of the series, so both teams are on 0 points.

Head To Head

When these two last played ODIs, in November 2025, Pakistan won all three games at home. Pakistan have won 9 of the last 10 ODIs between the two sides.

Squads

Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (C), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (WK), Saad Baig (WK), Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Arafat Minhas, Sufiyan Moqim, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Razaullah

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (C & WK), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Sahan Arachchige, Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga

Team news: Pathum Nissanka is out of the series with a hamstring injury, and Lahiru Udara has come in. Charith Asalanka was left out after a poor run in England. Mohammad Rizwan is not in the Pakistan squad.

Pitch Report

Rawalpindi usually gives a good batting pitch with fast outfield. In the last ODI here in May, Australia made 200 and Pakistan chased it down with seven overs left. In November 2025, Sri Lanka made 211 here and Pakistan chased it easily.

Pace bowlers get some help early with the new ball, so pick at least two fast bowlers. Spinners like Abrar Ahmed and Wellalage come into play in the middle overs. Chasing has worked well at this ground, so the captain who wins the toss may bowl first. Around 270 looks like a good total.

Weather Report

It should be partly sunny in Rawalpindi on Sunday, around 28°C, with very little chance of rain. A full 50 over game is expected.

Probable Playing XIs

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (WK), Hasan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas, Shaheen Shah Afridi (C), Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (C & WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Sachindu Colombage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat and Abdul Samad played in the June ODIs but are not in this squad, so Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Nawaz should come in. Final XIs come at the toss.

Top Fantasy Picks

1. Kusal Mendis (SL, wicketkeeper): 121 off 100 at Headingley and 42 in the first ODI in England. He also hit 87 off 48 in a T20I at this ground on 13 October.
2. Shaheen Shah Afridi (PAK, bowler): 3/36 and 3/30 in his last two ODIs. Takes wickets with the new ball.
3. Arafat Minhas (PAK, all rounder): 5/32 on debut at this ground, then 33 and 2/27 in the next game.
4. Dunith Wellalage (SL, all rounder): 45 off 36 and 3/49 in the England series. Bowls ten overs of spin.
5. Babar Azam (PAK, batter): 69 off 94 and 40 off 84 against Australia. Bats long at number three.
6. Shadab Khan (PAK, all rounder): 71 off 104 and 29 not out with the bat, plus 2/28 with the ball.
7. Kamindu Mendis (SL, all rounder): 54 off 65 at Headingley and 40 off 27 in the T20I here last week.

Fantasy Team: Pak vs SL Dream11 Team

Wicketkeepers: Kusal Mendis, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori

Batters: Babar Azam, Pavan Rathnayake

All rounders: Arafat Minhas, Shadab Khan, Dunith Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis

Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Asitha Fernando

Captain: Kusal Mendis. A hundred in England and 87 at this ground last week. He also keeps wicket.

Vice captain: Arafat Minhas. An all rounder who took 5/32 here in May and bats in the lower order.

Pak vs SL Fantasy Team: Grand Leagues

Wicketkeeper: Kusal Mendis

Batters: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman

All rounders: Dunith Wellalage, Shadab Khan, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage

Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Sachindu Colombage

Captain: Dunith Wellalage. An all rounder who gives points with bat and spin. Fewer people will pick him as captain.

Vice captain: Shaheen Shah Afridi. Six wickets in his last two ODIs.

Differentials: Fakhar Zaman did not play the June ODIs, so few will pick him, but he opens and can score fast. Janith Liyanage made 32 at Headingley and can bowl a few overs. Sachindu Colombage took 3/44 in the first ODI in England. Haris Rauf took 2/49 against Australia.

Also Read: Best Fantasy Apps 2026 — Free Contests, Referral Codes and Honest Reviews

Match Prediction

Pakistan are at home and have beaten Sri Lanka in their last three ODIs. Shaheen, Abrar and Arafat give them a strong bowling attack on this ground. Sri Lanka will miss Pathum Nissanka at the top, and they were bowled out twice in England. Kusal Mendis is in good form, but Sri Lanka need more runs around him. Our pick is Pakistan to win.

FAQs

Who will win Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI today? Pakistan are at home and have won their last three ODIs against Sri Lanka. We pick Pakistan.

What is the PAK vs SL Dream11 prediction? In small leagues, go with Kusal Mendis as captain and Arafat Minhas as vice captain. In grand leagues, try Dunith Wellalage as captain and Shaheen Shah Afridi as vice captain.

What is the pitch report for Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium? It is a good batting pitch with some help for pace early. Chasing has worked well here, and around 270 looks like a good total.

What is the probable playing XI for Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI? Pakistan should play Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam at the top, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Sri Lanka should open with Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis, with Kusal Mendis at three. Final XIs come at the toss.

Who are the best captain and vice captain picks for PAK vs SL? Arafat Minhas, Dunith Wellalage and Shadab Khan are the best all rounder picks. Kusal Mendis and Shaheen Shah Afridi are also strong options.