Shoaib Malik welcomes the new selection policy

"It is a good decision because the captain and coach know best what is required before every match. It will give them confidence," said Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan captain in Lahore.

"So I have always felt they should have the right to pick the final playing eleven," he added.

"No doubt both teams are strong in spin department but Sri Lanka depends on them a lot. But I think our batsmen have the capability of playing them well and neutralising them in the coming series," Malik said.

"I think the more Mendis plays the more the batsmen will start picking him up and his variations. He will then have to improve and come up with new variations to remain on top in his career," Malik noted.