Web desk: Pakistan will play a three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka in January as part of their preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Tuesday that the national team will meet Sri Lanka on January 7, January 9 and January 11 in Dambulla.
All games will take place at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.
The series will give Pakistan important match practice ahead of the World Cup, which will be staged from February 7 to March 8 next year. Pakistan are placed in Group A and will play all their World Cup matches in Colombo.
The ICC released the official schedule for the tournament on November 25. A total of 20 teams will compete in the 10th edition of the global event.
The tour follows Pakistan’s recent success in the 2025 T20I Tri-Nation Series, held in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan won the final against Sri Lanka on November 29 to lift the title. All matches of the tournament, which also featured Zimbabwe, were played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 18 to November 29.
Pak vs SL T20I Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | 7 January 2026 | Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium | Dambulla |
| 2nd T20I | 9 January 2026 | Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium | Dambulla |
| 3rd T20I | 11 January 2026 | Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium | Dambulla |
Pakistan Win
Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by six runs in a tense finish in the sixth match of the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series in Rawalpindi. The visitors defended a target of 184 after a strong all-round performance.
Sri Lanka were led by Kamil Mishara, who scored a confident 76 from 48 balls with six fours and three sixes. Kusal Mendis supported him with a quick 40 off 23 balls. Despite good bowling from Abrar Ahmed, who took 2-28, and Salman Mirza, Sri Lanka reached 184-5.
Pakistan struggled early in their chase. Dushmantha Chameera dismissed Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam to put Pakistan under pressure.
Chameera finished with impressive figures of 4-20. Saim Ayub hit 27 from 18, but Pakistan fell to 43-4 within six overs.
Captain Salman Agha kept Pakistan alive with an unbeaten 63 off 44 balls. Usman Khan added 33 from 23, and Mohammad Nawaz scored 27 off 16 to revive the chase.
Sri Lanka continued to take important wickets. Eshan Malinga removed two batters in key moments to slow Pakistan down.
Pakistan needed 16 runs in the last over, but Chameera removed Faheem Ashraf and closed out the match. Pakistan ended on 178-7.
The win boosts Sri Lanka’s standing in the tri-series. Pakistan will now focus on fixing their repeated top-order collapses before their next game.
