Ehsan Adil’s first USA cap arrives tonight, and it comes against the side he once represented. Under the new floodlights at the SSC in Colombo, Monank Patel won the toss and, without hesitation, asked Pakistan to bat.
Adil, 32, was cleared on Monday as the stand-in for the injured Jasdeep Singh and moves straight into the XI, taking the place of Ali Khan, who strained a groin against India. Between 2013 and 2015 the right-arm quick played three Tests and five ODIs for Pakistan, but three seasons of Major League Cricket and a move to Texas have brought him into the American set-up.
USA’s only other switch sees Shayan Jahangir replace Saiteja Mukkamalla at the top of the order. Shubham Ranjane, who finished the India match hobbling, is fit to bat and bowl.
Pakistan, meanwhile, resist wholesale tinkering after edging past the Netherlands, opting for extra spin. Unorthodox off-spinner Usman Tariq comes in for left-arm seamer Salman Mirza.
“We wanted to give Usman a game,” Salman Agha said. “He’s a match-winner and a trump card for us, so we want to use it.” The captain expects the slow surface to aid turn as the evening wears on.
Patel, looking back to the Super Over win at the 2024 T20 World Cup, offered a measured confidence. “We had a great game, first time playing against Pakistan and the way we played was great to see,” he said. “We want to get that confidence and motivation from that game, and do well in this game.”
Analysis
USA’s call to chase feels logical. The ball has nipped around early in Colombo this week before settling into low, skiddy bounce – conditions that could suit Adil’s upright seam. Later, batting tends to quicken, giving the Americans a clearer scoreboard target.
Pakistan’s extra spin threat is a nod to their own middle-overs wobble against the Dutch. Tariq’s carrom-ball variations, partnered with Abrar Ahmed’s leg-breaks, could tie USA down if the pitch grips as expected.
Playing XIs
USA: Andries Gous (wk), Shayan Jahangir, Monank Patel (capt), Milind Kumar, Shubham Ranjane, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ehsan Adil.
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (capt), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed.
First ball is due at 7pm local time.
