Pakistan to bat first in opening ODI

Pakistan have won the toss and will bat first against England in the opening one-day international at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali won the toss and opted to bat against England in the first one-day international on Wednesday.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes returns after sustaining a calf injury during the Test series against Pakistan, but will play only as a batsman for the first two ODIs of the series.

Fast bowler Mark Wood also made his way back into ODIs after recovering from an ankle injury.

Pakistan included three fast bowlers - Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul and Mohammad Amir - with Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim and Shoaib Malik as their spin options.

Unlike its No. 1 Test rankings, Pakistan is placed at No. 9 in ODI rankings and is also in danger of failing to qualify directly for the 2019 World Cup if its ranking doesn't improve over the next 12 months.

England: Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (capt), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood.

Pakistan: Sharjeel Khan, Azhar Ali (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Mohammad Amir