Pakistan, Sri Lanka in Talks for T20I Series Before 2026 World Cup

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are closing in on a three-match T20I series in early January. To be fair, the timing suits both teams perfectly. The idea had been around for weeks, but things suddenly moved fast this week. 

Officials from both boards are quietly confident. One source hinted that January 8 to 12 is the window on the table, all matches likely at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. A short window, but a useful one. Both teams needed quick matches to test the waters before the big tournament.

Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium and Pallekele are staying shut because of upgrade work for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

That unexpected roadblock forced Sri Lanka Cricket to push back the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League.

Strategic Value for Pakistan

For Pakistan, this proposed series lands at the perfect moment. They will play all their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka under the Hybrid Model, a setup that still raises a few eyebrows. Getting used to those surfaces before the big event might be the quiet advantage they desperately need.

Right now, the national side is busy hosting Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in a T20I tri-series in Rawalpindi. Gasps rippled around the stadium when Pakistan sealed their spot in the final after beating both visiting teams. You could see the confidence building, one over at a time. 

As PCB officials wait for the final green light, curiosity drifts around one question: Will this short January dash shape their World Cup journey in ways no one expects? No doubt, the coming days will answer that. For now, both boards remain locked in talks, and the cricket world watches with a raised eyebrow.