With the Test series in the bag, Pakistan’s focus shifts to the one-dayers against Sri Lanka from Saturday that could determine their qualification for the Champions Trophy in 2017.

Misbah-ul Haq’s tourists won the Tests 2-1 by chasing down a target of 377 for the loss of just three wickets after being 13-2 in the decisive final match in Pallekele on Tuesday.

Pakistan achieved the sixth best chase in history through a brilliant 171 not out from Younis Khan, 125 from opener Shan Masood and 59 not out from Misbah.

But none of these batsmen will be seen in action when the five-match one-day series opens in Dambulla – with Misbah having retired from limited-overs cricket and both Younis and Masood not selected.

Top order batsman Azhar Ali will lead the ninth-ranked tourists who need a series win to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the eight-nation Champions Trophy in England.

“This is obviously a very important series for us and we will make sure we play well and win,” Azhar said. “Most of the players know what to expect in Sri Lanka. We are ready.”

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Pakistan have struggled in one-day cricket in recent months after being knocked out by eventual champions and hosts Australia in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Adelaide in March.

Azhar’s men suffered a 3-0 humiliation in Bangladesh in April, before beating lowly Zimbabwe 2-0 in their first home series since the 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore.

Sri Lanka, playing their first series since the retirement of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara from the shorter format after the

World Cup, are also rebuilding for the future. The hosts have included two new all-rounders, Milinda Siriwardana and Sachith Pathirana, both bowling left-arm spin.