Abid Ali will replace Imam-ul-Haq in the Pakistan playing XI for the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka at Karachi slated to take place on Wednesday.

According an update from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Imam has been ruled out the series finale after he sustained an injury to his left hand while fielding in the second ODI on Monday.

The left-hander had struck a 41-ball 31 in the second ODI which Pakistan won by 67 runs eventually to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

For replacement opener Abid Ali, it will be only his fourth ODI appearance for Pakistan with his most recent one coming against England in May earlier this year. The 31-year-old had struck a century on his ODI debut against Australia in Dubai but could was dismissed for a duck and five runs in his two subsequent appearances.

Pakistan are looking to clinch an ODI series win in front of their home fans at Karachi before the two teams move on to Lahore for the T20I-leg.

Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed had hinted towards changes in the playing XI for the final ODI after his side’s comprehensive victory on Monday.

“We’ll try to give everyone a chance through this series, even the guys on our bench are first priority players for us,” Sarfraz had remarked after the 67-run win.

Should the hosts be able to seal the job against the Lankans on Wednesday, it will mark a perfect start to Misbah-ul-Haq’s tenure as head coach and chief selector of the men’s team.