Pakistan will square off with Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Friday, October 9.
Pakistan enters this three-match series after a silver medal finish in the just-concluded Asian Games 2026. On the other hand, Sri Lanka settled for the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh earlier this month.
PAK vs SL, T20I Series 2026, Match 1, Match Details
Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, T20I Series 2026, Match 1
Time & Date: 8:30 PM IST, Friday, October 9
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
PAK vs SL, T20I Series 2026, Match 1 Pitch Report
The average first-inning score across the last three T20Is at this venue was 148. The captain, who won the toss, would love to bowl first on this surface. Two out of three games saw the chasing sides come out on top.
PAK vs SL, T20I Series 2026, Match 1 Probable XIs
Pakistan
Maaz Sadaqat, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hassan Nawaz, Khwaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Abrar Ahmed
Sri Lanka
Kusal Mendis (c), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara
PAK vs SL, T20I Series 2026, Match 1 Winner Prediction
Match Winner: Pakistan
These two sides have faced each other 30 times in this format. While Pakistan bagged 18 wins, Sri Lanka could win only 12 encounters. With Pakistan having a home advantage, they are expected to have a better run in this game, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.
