LAHORE - As Sri Lanka prepares to host Pakistan in five ODIs starting on Thursday in Dambulla, the latest ICC Player Rankings suggests it will be a well-matched series with neither side holding a significant advantage. After Pakistan's victory in the ICC World Twenty20 in England last month, the visiting team will be hoping that its limited-overs form will make it too strong for Sri Lanka despite losing 2-0 to Kumar Sangakkara's men in the recent Test series. With the likes of Younus Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Umar Gul, Pakistan can boast vast experience and proven match winners within its ranks as it seeks to return home victorious. Yousuf is currently ranked 13th in the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen while Shoaib is four places further back in 17th position. That list is still headed by the Indian duo of Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the top and Yuvraj Singh in second place. Meanwhile, two players in the Pakistan squad are in the top 20 of the bowlers' list with Afridi in ninth spot and Umar currently occupying 19th place. But the highest-ranked batsman and bowler taking part in this series will both be playing for Sri Lanka. Captain Sangakkara currently lies one place ahead of Yousuf in 12th position among the batsmen while 27-year-old pacer Nuwan Kulasekara still heads the bowling rankings from New Zealand's Kyle Mills in second place.Veteran Muttiah Muralidaran is just two places further back in third position and Sri Lanka's other mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis is currently in 12th position and could break through to the top 10 with a good showing. The visitor holds the advantage among those who bat and bowl. However, Afridi and Malik are level in third position on the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI all-rounders, a list that continues to be headed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh. In fact, Shakib has extended his lead at the top of that category in light of his contribution to his team's ODI series victory over the West Indies. Upcoming fixtures: 30 Jul - Sri Lanka v Pakistan (ODI), Dambulla 1 Aug - Sri Lanka v Pakistan (ODI), Dambulla 3 Aug - Sri Lanka v Pakistan (ODI), Dambulla 7 Aug - Sri Lanka v Pakistan (ODI), Colombo 9 Aug - Sri Lanka v Pakistan (ODI), Colombo 12 Aug - Sri Lanka v Pakistan (T20I), Colombo.