Pakistan start favourites in T20I series against Sri Lanka

Friday, 9 October 2026 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka cricketers prepare for today’s first T20I against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

First match at Rawalpindi today

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan and Sri Lanka begin their three-match T20I series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium today with both sides having a chance to make an early statement.

Pakistan go into the first game as the favorites, with a 67% win probability compared with Sri Lanka's 33% in the available match data. The hosts will look to make that advantage count when the two sides meet under lights in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan have named a squad featuring a mix of experienced international players and younger options. Sahibzada Farhan will lead the side, while Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Naseem Shah are among the notable names in the squad.

If Fakhar plays, he gives Pakistan a left-handed option at the top, while Saim Ayub adds another left-handed batting option and can also contribute with off-spin. Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed add variety and attacking options to Pakistan’s bowling unit.

The squad also includes wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay, along with Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas and Sufiyan Muqeem. Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah add further bowling options, while Salman Mirza provides a left-arm pace option.

Pakistan's bowling group could be particularly important in the first T20I. Naseem Shah brings right-arm pace, while Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan give the team spin options in the middle overs.

Sri Lanka come on the back of a 3-0 whitewash in England and will want to put back that memory and start afresh. They are without two of their match winners Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga – both injured but have a squad containing several experienced players. Kusal Mendis is the captain, while Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana are among the senior figures in the squad.

Mendis gives Sri Lanka an experienced presence with the bat and behind the stumps. Shanaka adds another experienced batting and bowling option, while Chameera leads the pace attack with his right-arm fast bowling.

Sri Lanka also has several spin options available. The squad includes Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, giving the visitors different choices depending on the conditions in Rawalpindi.

Kamindu Mendis and Sahan Arachchige add further all-round options, while Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando and Eshan Malinga strengthen the bowling group.

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is expected to provide a good contest between bat and ball. Pakistan's batters will look to make the most of the powerplay, while the spinners could become increasingly important through the middle overs. With the match scheduled for the evening, both teams will also have to assess the conditions before deciding whether batting first or chasing is the better option.