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The first T20I between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, serves as a high-stakes dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup coming up in February. Both teams are looking to finalize their combinations in the spinning conditions of Dambulla.
Team Previews
Pakistan: Testing Depth Without the "Big Three"
Pakistan is fielding a experimental squad led by Salman Ali Agha. Notably, the "Big Three"—Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi—are missing this series (due to BBL commitments and workload management).
* Key Return: Shadab Khan returns to the side after a long injury layoff. His performance as an all-rounder will be the focal point of the series.
* New Faces: Keep an eye on Khawaja Nafay, an aggressive middle-order batter handed his maiden call-up, and mystery spinner Usman Tariq.
* Bowling: In the absence of Shaheen and Haris Rauf, the pace attack will be spearheaded by Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Sri Lanka: The Home Advantage
Sri Lanka enters the series with a distinct edge, having won five of their last six T20I encounters against Pakistan (though Pakistan leads the overall head-to-head 14-10).
* Spin Dominance: In Dambulla, the surface is expected to be balanced but will offer significant grip for spinners like Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga.
* Stability: Unlike Pakistan, Sri Lanka is expected to field a more settled unit to build momentum for their home World Cup.
Pakistan's 15-Man Squad
Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Khawaja Nafay, Abdul Samad, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Mohammad Salman Mirza.
Team Previews
Pakistan: Testing Depth Without the "Big Three"
Pakistan is fielding a experimental squad led by Salman Ali Agha. Notably, the "Big Three"—Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi—are missing this series (due to BBL commitments and workload management).
* Key Return: Shadab Khan returns to the side after a long injury layoff. His performance as an all-rounder will be the focal point of the series.
* New Faces: Keep an eye on Khawaja Nafay, an aggressive middle-order batter handed his maiden call-up, and mystery spinner Usman Tariq.
* Bowling: In the absence of Shaheen and Haris Rauf, the pace attack will be spearheaded by Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Sri Lanka: The Home Advantage
Sri Lanka enters the series with a distinct edge, having won five of their last six T20I encounters against Pakistan (though Pakistan leads the overall head-to-head 14-10).
* Spin Dominance: In Dambulla, the surface is expected to be balanced but will offer significant grip for spinners like Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga.
* Stability: Unlike Pakistan, Sri Lanka is expected to field a more settled unit to build momentum for their home World Cup.
Pakistan's 15-Man Squad
Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Khawaja Nafay, Abdul Samad, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Mohammad Salman Mirza.
