Shadab, Dhananjaya back as Pakistan chase in first T20I

De Silva was playing his first T20I since June 2024 while Shadab last played for Pakistan in June 2025

Toss Pakistan chose to bowl vs Sri Lanka

Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss and opted to field in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Dambulla.

Given the rain concerns, the pitch had been under covers for the last couple of days, and Agha hoped to use the moisture in the surface. Shanaka, though, expected it to be a typical Dambulla pitch, full of runs.

Both sides were packed with allrounders. Shadab Khan, who last played for Pakistan in June 2025, returned for Pakistan. Apart from him, Pakistan had Faheem Ashraf and Saim Ayub, both more than capable with both bat and ball.

For Sri Lanka, Dhananjaya de Silva made a comeback. His last T20I was back in June 2024. Apart from contributing with the bat, he will support the spin duo Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana.

Given both teams play their group matches and Super Eight games (assuming they reach there) in Sri Lanka, this three-match series, about a month out of the World Cup, is a great opportunity to get acclimatised to the conditions.

Sri Lanka: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kamil Mishara, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Dhananjaya de Silva, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Janith Liyanage, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Nuwan Thushara

Pakistan: 1 Saim Ayub, 2 Sahibzada Farhan, 3 Fakhar Zaman, 4 Salman Agha (capt), 5 Usman Khan (wk), 6 Shadab Khan, 7 Mohammad Nawaz, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Mohammad Wasim, 10 Salman Mirza, 11 Abrar Ahmed