The Sri Lanka vs Pakistan cricket match is set to begin an important three-match T20I series in Pakistan. The opening T20I will be at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, October 9, 2026. The match will start from 8:00 p.m. local time or 08:30. While Pakistan have a new captain in T20I, the second leg will see Kusal Mendis taking over Sri Lanka.
The T20I series comprising three matches will be followed by an ODI tri-series (Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England) before the two teams face-off again in November for a two-Test series.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Upcoming Match – Quick Facts
| Match | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I |
| Format | T20I |
| Date | October 9, 2026 |
| Time | 8:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| Series | Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan 2026 |
| Teams | Pakistan and Sri Lanka |
| Match Status | Upcoming |
The first match will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which will host all three T20Is in the series. The official schedule confirms the three matches for October 9, 11 and 13.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Match Schedule
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play three T20Is during the opening stage of Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time in India |
| October 9, 2026 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | 8:30 PM IST |
| October 11, 2026 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | 8:30 PM IST |
| October 13, 2026 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | 8:30 PM IST |
The first T20I is scheduled for 8:00 PM Pakistan time, which is 8:30 PM in India.
The T20I series is only the beginning of a longer tour. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will later meet in an ODI tri-series with England and then contest two Tests as part of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Upcoming Match Date, Time & Venue
Live Cricket Score: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 3rd ODI As It Happened – October 9, 2026 | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium For Indian viewers, the match will start at 8:30 PM IST. The toss should happen just minutes before the game starts. The site of Pakistan home cricket schedule, Rawalpindi will stage all three T20Is of the two teams. It will also house the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in November.
For Indian cricket fans, the most important details are:
- Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
- Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I
- Start time: 8:30 PM IST
- Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- Format: T20 International
- Series: Three-match T20I series
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Squads
Both teams have announced their squads for the upcoming T20I series.
Sri Lanka Squad
Sri Lanka Cricket selected a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series. Kusal Mendis has been named captain, while several experienced players are included in the squad.
| Player | Role |
| Kusal Mendis (c) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Kamil Mishara | Batter |
| Sineth Jayawardena | All-rounder |
| Lahiru Udara | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Sahan Arachchige | All-rounder |
| Kamindu Mendis | All-rounder |
| Dasun Shanaka | All-rounder |
| Chamindu Wickramasinghe | All-rounder |
| Dunith Wellalage | Bowling All-rounder |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Bowler |
| Vijayakanth Viyaskanth | Bowler |
| Binura Fernando | Bowler |
| Nuwan Thushara | Bowler |
| Eshan Malinga | Bowler |
| Dushmantha Chameera | Fast Bowler |
Dushmantha Chameera’s selection is subject to fitness, according to Sri Lanka Cricket.
Pakistan Squad
Pakistan have named a 15-member T20I squad for the series. Sahibzada Farhan has been appointed captain after leading Pakistan at the 2026 Asian Games.
| Player | Role |
| Sahibzada Farhan (c) | Batter |
| Abdul Samad | Batter |
| Abrar Ahmed | Bowler |
| Arafat Minhas | All-rounder |
| Fakhar Zaman | Batter |
| Hasan Nawaz | Batter |
| Muhammad Imran Randhawa | Batter |
| Khawaja Nafay | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Maaz Sadaqat | Batter |
| Naseem Shah | Fast Bowler |
| Razaullah | Batter |
| Saim Ayub | Batter |
| Mohammad Salman Mirza | All-rounder |
| Shadab Khan | All-rounder |
| Sufiyan Moqim | Bowler |
The change in Pakistan’s T20I leadership is one of the major talking points heading into the series. Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to captain Pakistan in the subsequent ODI tri-series.
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Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Probable Playing XI
The final playing XIs will only be confirmed at the toss. Therefore, the following combinations should be treated as probable playing XIs, rather than official teams.
Sri Lanka Probable Playing XI
| No. | Player | Role |
| 1 | Kamil Mishara | Batter |
| 2 | Kusal Mendis | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 3 | Lahiru Udara | Batter |
| 4 | Kamindu Mendis | All-rounder |
| 5 | Dasun Shanaka | All-rounder |
| 6 | Sahan Arachchige | All-rounder |
| 7 | Dunith Wellalage | All-rounder |
| 8 | Maheesh Theekshana | Spinner |
| 9 | Nuwan Thushara | Bowler |
| 10 | Eshan Malinga | Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Dushmantha Chameera | Fast Bowler |
Sri Lanka have several combinations available, particularly in the middle order and bowling department. The final XI could depend on the pitch and Chameera’s fitness.
Pakistan Probable Playing XI
| No. | Player | Role |
| 1 | Sahibzada Farhan | Batter |
| 2 | Saim Ayub | Batter |
| 3 | Fakhar Zaman | Batter |
| 4 | Hasan Nawaz | Batter |
| 5 | Khawaja Nafay | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 6 | Shadab Khan | All-rounder |
| 7 | Arafat Minhas | All-rounder |
| 8 | Abdul Samad | Batter |
| 9 | Abrar Ahmed | Spinner |
| 10 | Naseem Shah | Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Sufiyan Moqim | Spinner |
Pakistan have plenty of attacking options, with Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub capable of putting pressure on the opposition during the powerplay, while Shadab Khan provides an important all-round option.
Key Players to Watch
Sri Lanka
- Kusal Mendis will be one of Sri Lanka’s most important players. The wicketkeeper-batter has also been appointed captain for the T20I series, giving him additional responsibility at the top of the order.
- Kamindu Mendis is another player to watch because of his all-round ability. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball can give Sri Lanka flexibility.
- Maheesh Theekshana could also play a major role in the middle overs. His ability to control scoring and pick up wickets makes him particularly valuable against an aggressive Pakistan batting lineup.
- Dunith Wellalage adds another spin-bowling option while also contributing with the bat.
Pakistan
- Sahibzada Farhan enters the series as the new Pakistan T20I captain. He had a strong 2026, including leading Pakistan at the Asian Games and finishing as the leading run-scorer at the 2026 T20 World Cup with 383 runs at a strike rate of 160, according to Indian Express.
- Fakhar Zaman remains one of Pakistan’s biggest attacking batting options. His ability to score quickly in the powerplay can have a major impact on the match.
- Shadab Khan offers Pakistan an important combination of leg-spin bowling and middle-order batting.
- Naseem Shah will be one of Pakistan’s key fast-bowling weapons, particularly with the new ball.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Recent Form
Recent results will be important when assessing the first T20I. Pakistan came into the series after competing at the 2026 Asian Games, where they reached the men’s T20 final. Their new captain Sahibzada Farhan was a major contributor during that campaign.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have selected a new-look T20I group under Kusal Mendis. The squad includes experienced names such as Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera.
| Team | Recent Situation | Key Point |
| Pakistan | Asian Games silver medallists | New T20I captain Sahibzada Farhan |
| Sri Lanka | New-look T20I squad | Kusal Mendis named captain |
The form comparison should be updated after each team’s latest international match if this article remains live for several days.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Pitch Report
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium can provide good batting conditions, although the nature of the surface can vary from match to match. Historical T20I data at the ground shows that chasing teams have had considerable success, with a number of matches producing competitive first-innings totals.
The pitch could offer a good contest between bat and ball. Pakistan’s pace attack and Sri Lanka’s spin options will both be important.
Key factors to watch include:
- Powerplay batting
- New-ball movement
- Middle-over spin
- Death-over bowling
- Dew during the second innings
- Quality of the outfield
A recent venue analysis found an average first-innings score of around 154 across 14 completed men’s T20Is at the ground through October 7, while chasing teams had won 10 of those matches. That is historical data rather than a guaranteed prediction for this particular surface.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Weather Report
Weather conditions are expected to be reasonably favourable for the opening T20I in Rawalpindi. Current match information points toward clear conditions around the time of the game. However, weather forecasts can change quickly, so the final forecast should be checked on match day before publishing a definitive weather update.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Match Prediction
| Prediction Factor | Sri Lanka | Pakistan |
| Recent T20 Form | Competitive | Strong |
| Batting Depth | Good | Very Strong |
| Bowling Attack | Strong spin options | Strong pace attack |
| All-Rounders | Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage | Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas |
| Key Advantage | Spin and versatility | Home conditions and power hitting |
| Captain | Kusal Mendis | Sahibzada Farhan |
| Venue Advantage | — | Pakistan |
| Overall Strength | 8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Predicted Winner | — | Pakistan |
| Winning Probability | 42% | 58% |
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Winning Probability
| Team | Winning Probability |
| Pakistan | 58% |
| Sri Lanka | 42% |
Pakistan receive a slight advantage because of home conditions, their recent T20 momentum and the depth available in their squad. Sri Lanka remain capable of winning if their top-order batsmen get a strong start and their spinners perform effectively.
Where to Watch Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Live
- The opening T20I is set to take place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 9, with a start time of 8:30 PM IST.
- Note: Broadcast and streaming availability is country- and platform-dependent; Indian readers should check the latest official broadcaster and streaming announcement ahead of the match.
- Cricket Board Pakistan (PCB) has announced the series schedule and ticketing details for Pakistani viewers, with the T20I matches set to take place in Rawalpindi.
Conclusion
The upcoming Sri Lanka vs Pakistan cricket match promises to be an interesting start to a busy all-format contest between the two teams. The first T20I will take place on October 9, 2026, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with the match beginning at 8:30 PM IST.
Pakistan have a new T20I captain in Sahibzada Farhan. Sri Lanka are led by Kusal Mendis The two squads contain a combination of hardened internationals and young guns, making the opening match impossible to predict with confidence.
The first of the two-match series could prove crucial for momentum with more T20Is to follow on October 11 and 13. While Pakistan holds the advantage of hosting this series, Sri Lanka possesses a leading spin resource along with an experienced roster capable of at least continuing to push Pakistan.
FAQs
Q1. When is the next Sri Lanka vs Pakistan cricket match?
The next Sri Lanka vs Pakistan cricket match is the 1st T20I on October 9, 2026, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Q2. What time will Sri Lanka vs Pakistan match start in India?
The first T20I is scheduled to start at 8:30 PM IST on October 9.
Q3. Where will Sri Lanka vs Pakistan match be played?
The opening T20I will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. All three matches of the T20I series are scheduled at the same venue.
Q4. Who is the captain of Sri Lanka in the T20I series?
Kusal Mendis has been named captain of Sri Lanka’s 15-member T20I squad for the Pakistan tour.
Q5. Who is the captain of Pakistan in the upcoming T20I series?
Sahibzada Farhan has been appointed Pakistan’s T20I captain for the three-match series against Sri Lanka.
