Pakistan to bat in third Sri Lanka 1-dayer

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali won the toss and chose to bat in the third one-day international against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday.

Sri Lanka drew level in the five-match series in Pallekele on Wednesday after Pakistan won the opening match at Dambulla last Saturday.

Pakistan retained all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez even though he is banned from bowling for a year due to an illegal bowling action. Hafeez scored a century in the first game.

The tourists replaced batsman Babar Azam with debutant left-arm spinner Imad Wasim to bolster the bowling.

Sri Lanka picked an unchanged side.  

Ninth-ranked Pakistan need a series win to remain in contention for a place in the eight-nation Champions Trophy in England in 2017.

Sri Lanka, currently ranked fifth, are assured of taking part in the tournament.

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Milinda Siriwardane, Thisara Perera, Sachith Pathirana, Nuwan Pradeep, Lasith Malinga.

Pakistan: Azhar Ali (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Sarfraz Ahmed, Anwar Ali, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan.

Umpires: Raveendra Wimalasiri (SRI) and Ian Gould (ENG)

TV umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS)

Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)
Source: AFP