(BBC) Pakistan will welcome back Shahid Afridi for the one-day series against Sri Lanka, which begins in Dambulla today.

The all-rounder missed the earlier 2-0 Test series defeat, instead opting to rest following Pakistan’s World Twenty20 Cup success last month.

Rana Naved, Imran Nazir and Umar Akmal are also in contention for selection.
Sri Lanka will welcome back spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who missed the Test series with a knee injury, while fast bowler Dilhara Fernando also returns.

Meanwhile, batsman Thilan Samaraweera is named in the One-day team following a four-year absence.
“It’s a fresh start with some new combinations,” Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, who will keep wicket in place of the injured Tillakaratne Dilshan.

“We have had some new players coming in and a lot of re-grouping to do after the Test series.
“We’ve done a bit of work on individual skills and technique but we’ve focused on working out the specific roles for each individual. Once every player knows what his role is it becomes a lot easier.”
Younus Khan is keen to move forward from the disappointment of losing the Test series.

Afridi’s presence will give the tourists a huge fillip, while Nazir and Rana return after their self-imposed Indian Cricket League hiatus.

Abdul Razzaq, who was overlooked for Test selection, is likely to feature during the five-match series.
“We have gone from hero to zero within the span of a few Tests,” said the 31-year-old.
“There are many players in this team who did not feature in the Tests.

“They are keen to prove that Pakistan is one of the best one-day teams in the world.”
Sri Lanka (from): K Sangakkara, M Muralitharan, S Jayasuriya, M Jayawardene, T Samaraweera, C Kapugedara, A Mathews, N Kulasekara, L Malinga, A Mendis, T Kandamby, M Bandara, T Thushara, I Udana, U Tharanga.

Pakistan (from): Younis Khan (captain), Abdul Razzaq, Fawad Alam, Rao Iftikhar, Imran Nazir, Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Yousuf, Nasir Jamshed, Rana Naved, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal,Umar Gul.