Pakistan's young wicketkeeper-batter, Saad Baig, made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Sri Lanka in the opening match of the tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 18, 2026. (dawn.com)
Baig, a former Pakistan Under-19 captain, has been on the fringes of national selection in recent years. His impressive performance in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he amassed 1,000 runs, solidified his place in the national squad. (dawn.com)
In the tri-series opener, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first. Baig was preferred over fellow wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori, who had made his ODI and Test debuts earlier in the year. (dunyanews.tv)
The tri-series, featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England, serves as a crucial preparatory platform for the teams ahead of the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. The tournament follows a double round-robin format, with each team playing the others twice. The top two teams will advance to the final on October 31 at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. (tribune.com.pk)
Pakistan's squad for the series includes key players such as captain Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha, all returning to the ODI setup after missing the preceding T20 series against Sri Lanka. (lethbridgeherald.com)
Baig's inclusion marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career, reflecting the selectors' confidence in his abilities as Pakistan aims to end its nine-year ICC trophy drought.