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On the back of a controversy that arose after as many as 10 Sri Lankan players refused to travel to Pakistan, the bilateral series kicks-off in Karachi on Friday, with Sarfaraz Ahmed & Co ready to take on a new-look Lankan side. The hosts' disappointing World Cup campaign brought about considerable changes in both the team as well as the board. Although Sarfaraz has managed to hold on to his spot in the group as captain, Misbah-ul-Haq has replaced Mickey Arthur as the team's head coach. Cricket Live Today The Lankans, meanwhile, had whitewashed Bangladesh last month in a three-match ODI series but they will be without a string of big names during their stay in Pakistan. Stand-in skipper Lahiru Thirimanne was even struggling with a back problem ahead of the tour, and that has put his participation in the first ODI under dark clouds.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka had last locked horns a one-day fixture back in October 2017 when the Islanders had travelled to UAE for a 5-match ODI series. Cricket Live Today They were also supposed to face-off at the 2019 ICC World Cup, but that match was abandoned due to rain. Although Pakistan will start as favourites for the series, the Lankans have a host of players in their roster who would be determined to prove a point.