Karachi gears up for first One-Day International cricket match in 10 years

Karachi hosts a One-day International (ODI) for the first time in 10 years when Pakistan take on a depleted Sri Lanka on Friday, furthering the country's revival in international cricket.

"History will be made on Friday when Karachi will host the first ODI," said Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.

"We must thank the Sri Lankan team for touring us."

Teams have been reluctant to visit the cricket-mad country since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.

Although no players were killed in the attack, several were injured and eight people died.

Pakistan Cricket Board officials stand in the National Stadium after the team practice was postponed due to rain in Karachi on Wednesday. AFP

The attack forced Pakistan to play all their "home" Tests and most of its short-form games in the United Arab Emirates with Zimbabwe becoming the first team to return to Pakistan in 2015.

That tour was followed by a Twenty20 series by a World XI in 2017, a one-off T20 match against Sri Lanka that same year, and the West Indies for a Twenty20 series in Karachi in 2018.

Security convey escort the vans carrying Sri Lanka's cricket team as they arrive at the National Stadium in Karach. AFP

The current tour — comprising of three one-day internationals and as many Twenty20s -- was tainted by the withdrawal of 10 Sri Lankan players who cited security fears.

Sri Lanka then stalled the tour after receiving information of a possible militant attack on the team, before the all clear was finally given last week.

High security

Pakistan have put in place stringent security measures normally reserved for heads of state.

Pakistani security officials check a car outside the National Stadium in Karachi. AFP

All the arrangements are being led by the country's military, with around 2,000 security personnel on alert at the team's hotel and at the ground.

Sri Lankan skipper Lahiru Thirimanne — captaining the side after regular skipper Dimuth Karunaratne pulled out — is confident cricket will be in focus.

"SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) has presented us the security plan which we are getting in Pakistan so I am pretty happy with that and I explained to my family as well, so they don't have a concern," said Thirimanne earlier this week.

The captain said the decision by some of his teammates to pull out of the tour was a "personal matter."

Sri lanka's team warm up before the team cricket practice session at the National Stadium in Karachi. AFP

"We still have a good team," he said. "I believe if we play to our potential we can do very well."

Sarfaraz and fast bowler Wahab Riaz are the only Pakistani players who have played a one-day international in Karachi before — back in 2008.

"I can't wait for Friday," said Sarfaraz, who took over as ODI captain in 2017.

The remaining ODIs will also be in Karachi on Sunday and Wednesday.

The two teams will also play three Twenty20 internationals —all in Lahore — on October 5, 7 and 9.

Teams:

Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Babar Azam (vice-captain), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz.

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (captain), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara

Agence France-Presse