Sri Lanka are set to face Pakistan in a three-match T20I series in Dambulla this week. The first T20I is set to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday, January 7.
These two
teams had faced each other during a T20I tri-series in Pakistan in November 2025, also involving Zimbabwe. Pakistan won one league game and lost another against Sri Lanka. However, the Men in Green emerged victorious in the summit clash. Sri Lanka, however, lost a match to Zimbabwe on the tour.
Both teams will aim to complete some last-minute preparations before the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7. Pakistan, however, will miss the services of experienced campaigners Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan.
SL vs PAK Match Details
| Match | Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st T20I, Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
| Date and Time (IST) | Wednesday, January 7; 7:00 PM |
| Venue | Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla |
| Broadcast and live-streaming details | FanCode (App and Website) |
Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
The Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium is expected to help the spinners, especially in the second innings. Six out of the nine matches have been won by teams batting first. 209 is the highest first-innings score. Meanwhile, the lowest total is 89.
SL vs PAK Head to Head Record in T20Is
| Matches Played | 24 |
| SL Won | 10 |
| PAK Won | 14 |
| Tied / No Results | - |
| First-ever fixture | September 17, 2007 |
| Most-recent fixture | November 29, 2025 |
SL vs PAK Predicted Playing 11s
Sri Lanka (SL):
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana.
Pakistan (PAK):
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad, Salman Mirza.
SL vs PAK Probable Top Performers
Probable Best Batter — Sahibzada Farhan
Sahibzada Farhan was one of Pakistan's standout batters in the shortest format in 2025. In the aforementioned tri-series, he finished as the highest run-getter, scoring 191 runs in five innings at an average of 47.75 and a strike rate of 146.92. He will look to continue his purple patch in the new year.
Probable Best Bowler — Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga will hold the key for Sri Lanka with the ball. He will get help from the conditions, and his overs through the middle overs are going to be crucial. The Pakistani batters will have to deal with Hasaranga's spell smartly.
