[REPORTS] Pakistan to Tour Sri Lanka for 3-Match T20I series in January 2026

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are set to face off in a three-match T20I series from January 8 to 12, 2026, at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. The series, reportedly confirmed by PCB and SLC officials, comes as vital preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka under the Hybrid Model.

The short tour will allow Pakistan to acclimatise to local conditions and fine-tune combinations ahead of the global event.

Tentative Schedule – Pakistan Tour of Sri Lanka (T20Is)

• 1st T20I – 8 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium
• 2nd T20I – 10 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium
• 3rd T20I – 12 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

 

[Kianig89]

Wow Pakistan bubble will rise before the Wt20 , they may enter as favorites in Wt20 let's see ,

 

[Devadwal]

Wow Pakistan bubble will rise before the Wt20 , they may enter as favorites in Wt20 let's see ,

Dude Defeating Lanka in Lanka is not going to easy, This will be perfect practise for Pakistan before the world T20 in same conditions.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Good practice for Pakistan and Sri Lanka.... Should utilize this opportunity for sure.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Wow Pakistan bubble will rise before the Wt20 , they may enter as favorites in Wt20 let's see ,

Nope, we will get smashed and then lose to Australia at home aswell triggering a captaincy and personnel change right before the World Cup.

We have all seen this script play out many times before.

 

[RidiculousMan]

This series will determine the actual squad. Whoever is not selected for this series will have a direct ticket to WT20 in place of non performers in this series.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Too many t20s with teams of pakistans own caliber. Good.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

After getting sick of seeing Pakistan play New Zealand, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, now we will get sick of seeing Pakistan play Sri Lanka too

 

[BouncerGuy]

After getting sick of seeing Pakistan play New Zealand, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, now we will get sick of seeing Pakistan play Sri Lanka too

WHy????

T20 world cup is just around the corner... It is better to prepare for whats coming soon.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Good move to prepare for the event.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

WHy????

T20 world cup is just around the corner... It is better to prepare for whats coming soon.

I mean it's good practice for the T20 World Cup in those conditions, but they just toured Pakistan for 3 ODIs, we played one T20I against them in the Asia Cup and then two more (could be three) in the tri-series. Just seems like an excessive amount of cricket against one team. There is not much about this series that excites me.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I'm guessing Shaheen, Babar, Shadab, Rauf will be rested because of BBL.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I mean it's good practice for the T20 World Cup in those conditions, but they just toured Pakistan for 3 ODIs, we played one T20I against them in the Asia Cup and then two more (could be three) in the tri-series. Just seems like an excessive amount of cricket against one team. There is not much about this series that excites me.

After this tri-series, there is no game scheduled for Pakistan before World Cup in Feb... I think it will be a good practice to arrange this tour...

 

[Rana]

Are Pakistan planning to stay in Sri Lanka from then on through to the World Cup or returning and going back?

 

[Omer2002]

Out if curiosity as PSl is in April now will our national T20 be very soon

 

[Kianig89]

That means commentators like Ramiz Aamir and Basit will have more work to do

 

[Devadwal]

Are Pakistan planning to stay in Sri Lanka from then on through to the World Cup or returning and going back?

If you have seen the schedual, you have not asked this question. Pakistan is going to play T20 series against Australia at home before the world T20.

Australia will play 3 T20is against Pakistan in Pakistan from 30th January to 5th February 2026.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I'm guessing Shaheen, Babar, Shadab, Rauf will be rested because of BBL.

it will be better for them and pak cricket if they rest, gives us a chance to try new players and if board pulls the NOC again we will become a major laughing stock.

 

[Katwalindian]

After getting sick of seeing Pakistan play New Zealand, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, now we will get sick of seeing Pakistan play Sri Lanka too

I mean it's good practice for the T20 World Cup in those conditions, but they just toured Pakistan for 3 ODIs, we played one T20I against them in the Asia Cup and then two more (could be three) in the tri-series. Just seems like an excessive amount of cricket against one team. There is not much about this series that excites me.

Pakistan last played t20 series with srilanka in 2019 other than this tri series so hardly any cricket with Lanka.....in between played series ENG with 4 times, Australia 3 times, NZ 5 times, SA 4 times...

 

[CricVet]

They should make it a tri series involving BD as well on those spin pitches.

 

[RidiculousMan]

They should make it a tri series involving BD as well on those spin pitches.

Why not invite Afghanistan too or maybe even India?

 

[CricVet]

Why not invite Afghanistan too or maybe even India?

Nice, the team that withdrew from current tournament? At least try to make your sarcasm entertaining

 

[CricVet]

Why not invite Afghanistan too or maybe even India?

India will jump in fir usre

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

it will be better for them and pak cricket if they rest, gives us a chance to try new players and if board pulls the NOC again we will become a major laughing stock.

No, board won't pull NOC. They have ensured Cricket Australia

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Pakistan last played t20 series with srilanka in 2019 other than this tri series so hardly any cricket with Lanka.....in between played series ENG with 4 times, Australia 3 times, NZ 5 times, SA 4 times...

Yeah I know but way too much cricket against Sri Lanka over a two month period. But it's okay I guess. Somewhat useful series considering Pakistan will be playing the entire T20 WC in Sri Lanka

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Why not invite Afghanistan too or maybe even India?

Pakistan seems to be the one country interested in doing tri-series these days. More countries should do it because it adds some stakes to what would otherwise be a boring bilateral series. Pakistan have another ODI tri-series schedule at home next year featuring Sri Lanka and England.

 

[Nasty Naz]

I wish the dates were a bit closer to the WC start itself but it looks like England is touring SL after Pakistan but still, this should be good preparation to get used to the conditions.

I believe they are also due to play Australia for 3 T20's as well. Guessing that will be after this tour and while its supposed to happen in Pakistan, I kinda hope PCB reschedules it to be in SL instead so they can continue playing here and be fully ready by playing throughout the month in SL in advance of the WC.

 

[Devadwal]

I wish the dates were a bit closer to the WC start itself but it looks like England is touring SL after Pakistan but still, this should be good preparation to get used to the conditions.

I believe they are also due to play Australia for 3 T20's as well. Guessing that will be after this tour and while its supposed to happen in Pakistan, I kinda hope PCB reschedules it to be in SL instead so they can continue playing here and be fully ready by playing throughout the month in SL in advance of the WC.

Pakistan is not going to play any cricket after the Sunday final. They should go to Lanka for 2 months long preparation .

 

[RidiculousMan]

I wish the dates were a bit closer to the WC start itself but it looks like England is touring SL after Pakistan but still, this should be good preparation to get used to the conditions.

I believe they are also due to play Australia for 3 T20's as well. Guessing that will be after this tour and while its supposed to happen in Pakistan, I kinda hope PCB reschedules it to be in SL instead so they can continue playing here and be fully ready by playing throughout the month in SL in advance of the WC.

Nothing can prepare PCT for the panic that will set in the management and PCB just before the WT20

 

[Usman Chadda]

Nothing can prepare PCT for the panic that will set in the management and PCB just before the WT20

Yep, seen this happen so many times now that it’s getting boring now.

Expect a big name parachuting himself into the team at the last moment. Maybe Rizwan?

 

[sweep_shot]

Good practice tour before the World Cup.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Very good preparation for T20 World Cup at the same venue.

 

[shamaan]

Pakistan will start as favourites.