Pakistan have left out all-rounder Shadab Khan from the playing XI for the tri-series final against Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Captain Shaheen Afridi said Shadab is unwell, and Faheem Ashraf comes in. The decision removes a player who recently produced the highest ODI score by a No. 8 or lower batter.
Toss and Team Selection: What Changed
Shaheen Afridi won the toss and chose to bowl first. He cited expected dew later in the evening and the chance to use the new ball early on the pitch.
Pakistan are playing four fast bowlers, which also shaped the decision. Afridi noted that Sri Lanka have batted second in all their games, so Pakistan want to see how the pitch behaves in the first ten overs.
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Toss winner | Pakistan (Shaheen Afridi) |
| Decision | Bowl first |
| Change in XI | Faheem Ashraf in for Shadab Khan |
| Fast bowlers in XI | 4 |
| Reason given | Shadab not feeling well |
Pakistan's Form Entering the Final
Pakistan have lost only one of their four matches in the series. That record offers some stability, as their form before the tournament was inconsistent.
Afridi's return to form is another positive. It gives the bowling attack a more reliable new-ball option in a final where early wickets could matter.
Shadab Khan's Record-Setting Tournament
Shadab's absence is significant because of what he did against England. Pakistan were 154/9 when he and Haris Rauf came together for the last wicket. Shadab finished with 113 off 96 deliveries, including 13 fours and 5 sixes.
That innings is the highest individual ODI score at No. 8 or lower. It surpassed the previous joint record of 100* shared by Ireland's Simi Singh and Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Runs | 113 |
| Balls faced | 96 |
| Strike rate | 117.71 |
| Fours | 13 (52 runs) |
| Sixes | 5 (30 runs) |
| Boundary runs | 82 of 113 (72.6%) |
| Runs in two series matches | 115 |
Comparison With the Previous Record
Shadab's 113 is 13 runs above the earlier mark of 100*. Both previous holders reached exactly 100 not out, so this is the first score above that level from No. 8 or lower.
| Player | Team | Score | Status |
|---|
| Shadab Khan | Pakistan | 113 | Current record |
| Simi Singh | Ireland | 100* | Previous joint record |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | Bangladesh | 100* | Previous joint record |
The 10th-Wicket Partnership in Context
Shadab and Rauf added 89* for the last wicket. It is Pakistan's second-highest 10th-wicket partnership in ODIs and the fourth-highest overall.
Shadab scored more than 80% of the runs in the stand, which means Rauf contributed fewer than 18. The partnership shows how heavily the innings depended on one batter.
| Partnership Metric | Value |
|---|
| Wicket | 10th |
| Runs added | 89* |
| Rank for Pakistan (10th wicket) | 2nd highest |
| Overall rank (10th wicket) | 4th highest |
| Shadab's share | More than 80% |
| Score when stand began | 154/9 |
Impact of Shadab's Absence
Shadab was also a middle-overs bowling option, so his absence affects both the batting depth and the bowling balance. Faheem Ashraf brings all-round cover, but he has not matched Shadab's output in this series.
With four fast bowlers in the XI, Pakistan will rely on pace to control the innings. How the pitch behaves in the first ten overs will show whether that plan works.
What to Watch in the Final
Pakistan's results in the series, three wins from four matches, put them in a strong position. Sri Lanka's habit of batting second gives the toss added weight, and dew could help chasing sides later in the evening.
The key variables are the new-ball spells, the middle-overs control without Shadab, and the depth of the lower order. Pakistan need contributions from the lower order after relying so heavily on Shadab in the series.