Pak-SL first T20I today

World number one Twenty20 team Pakistan take on an inexperienced Sri Lanka in the first of a three-match series in Lahore on Saturday, starting their preparation for next year’s World Cup in the shortest format.

Pakistan will also play three Twenty20 matches in Australia next month before hosting Bangladesh and later travelling to Ireland and England, all ahead of the Twenty20 Asia Cup.

That gives them ideal preparation for the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in Australia in October and November next year.

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said the preparation was good but he was keeping his eye on the ball: Sri Lanka.

“We will not take them lightly,” said Sarfaraz.

“A Twenty20 match can be won by one good performance in batting and one in bowling, so we need to work hard to win the series.

The remaining matches will be played on Monday and Wednesday, also in Lahore.

Pakistan enjoy a superior record against Sri Lanka, having beaten them in eight of 13 matches. They beat Sri Lanka in the final to win the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup in England.