Pakistan’s T20I Tour of SL Finalised, Three-Match Series Set for January

Pakistan and Sri Lanka plan to play a three-match T20I series in January. Reports show that both cricket boards agreed on the schedule, as part of their preparation for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

The series is scheduled to take place from January 8 to 12. All three games will take place at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

The World Cup will start from February 7 to March 8. It will be in India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan will play all its matches on Sri Lankan soil. They will use the Hybrid Model for this. The setup keeps Pakistan and India from touring each other in ICC events. They meet at neutral venues instead.

Officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) held frequent discussions, often about this short series. It seems finalized now.

For Pakistan, the tour provides important practice in known conditions. It happens just weeks before the global event. The team can test combinations and get used to pitches like those in the World Cup.

They selected Dambulla as the only venue. Work is ongoing to upgrade the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Renovations are also underway at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. All this is being done in preparation for the tournament.

Logistical issues like these made Sri Lanka Cricket postpone the sixth Lanka Premier League. It was set for the November-December period originally.

Tentative Schedule: Pakistan’s Tour of Sri Lanka

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