Pakistan will go toe-to-toe with Sri Lanka in the first game of the two-match Test series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, starting on Monday, November 9.
Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, suffered a 0-3 Test series defeat to England away from home in September 2026. On the other hand, Sri Lanka suffered a 0-1 Test series defeat to India at home in August 2026. While Sri Lanka is in seventh place in the WTC 2025-27 standings, Pakistan occupies the ninth rank.
PAK vs SL, Test Series 2026, Match 1, Match Details
Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Test Series 2026, Match 1
Time & Date: 10:00 AM IST, November 9 to 13
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
PAK vs SL, Test Series 2026, Match 1 Pitch Report
It’s going to be a flat wicket for batters to come out all guns blazing. However, spinners are expected to have their fair share in the middle overs. The captain, who won the toss, would love to bowl first on this surface.
PAK vs SL, Test Series 2026, Match 1 Probable XIs
Pakistan
Azan Awais, Sameer Minhas, Muhammad Tayyab Arif, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Aamer Jamal, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas, Saqib Khan
Sri Lanka
Lahiru Udara, Kusal Mendis (c, wk), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara
PAK vs SL, Test Series 2026, Match 1 Winner Prediction
Match Winner: Pakistan
In the last five Tests between these two sides, Pakistan secured four victories, while Sri Lanka managed to win only one game. With Pakistan having a home advantage, we can expect the hosts to start the two-game Test series on a winning note.
