“Pak vs Sri” refers to the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka cricket rivalry, currently playing out as Sri Lanka’s October–November 2026 tour of Pakistan.
The tour features 3 T20Is (Oct 9–13, Rawalpindi), an ODI tri-series with England, and 2 Tests (Nov 9–21). Pakistan leads the overall head-to-head across formats.
Key Takeaways
- Sri Lanka’s 2026 tour of Pakistan runs from October 9 to November 21, covering T20Is, an ODI tri-series, and Tests.
- All three T20Is are being played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
- Sahibzada Farhan has taken over as Pakistan’s T20I captain, replacing Salman Ali Agha.
- Kusal Mendis leads Sri Lanka’s T20I squad on tour.
- Pakistan has the stronger overall head-to-head record against Sri Lanka in T20Is, though recent matches have gone both ways.
What Is the Pak vs Sri 2026 Series?
“Pak vs Sri” is shorthand for Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, two of South Asia’s most established cricket teams. Right now, the term points to Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan, which began when the Sri Lankan squad arrived on October 4, 2026. The tour is a full multi-format assignment, spanning T20Is, one-day internationals, and Test matches over about six weeks.
This isn’t a one-off encounter. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have played each other regularly since the 1980s, across bilateral series and major tournaments like the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup. The two sides also met as recently as February 2026, when Pakistan edged Sri Lanka by 5 runs in a Super Eights match at that year’s T20 World Cup.
Full Pak vs Sri Schedule 2026
T20I Series
Pakistan hosts Sri Lanka for three T20Is, all played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium:
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st T20I | October 9, 2026 | Rawalpindi |
| 2nd T20I | October 11, 2026 | Rawalpindi |
| 3rd T20I | October 13, 2026 | Rawalpindi |
Matches start at 7:30 PM local time (Pakistan Standard Time), with the toss roughly 30 minutes earlier.
ODI Tri-Series (with England)
After the T20Is, Pakistan hosts a triangular ODI series involving Sri Lanka and England, with matches split between Rawalpindi and Lahore running from October 18 through late October.
Test Series
The tour closes with two Test matches:
- 1st Test: November 9–13, Rawalpindi
- 2nd Test: November 17–21, Lahore
Between the Tests, there’s also a tour (warm-up) match in Islamabad on November 4–6.
Pakistan Squad for the Sri Lanka Series
The biggest storyline heading into this series is Pakistan’s leadership shake-up. Sahibzada Farhan, who captained the side during the Asian Games, has taken over the T20I captaincy, with Salman Ali Agha losing the role and being dropped from the squad entirely.
Babar Azam and Shadab Khan were both under consideration for a comeback but weren’t picked. Naseem Shah and Fakhar Zaman, on the other hand, have returned to the T20I setup.
Sri Lanka Squad for the Pakistan Tour
Kusal Mendis captains a Sri Lanka squad built around experienced white-ball players. Veteran all-rounder Dasun Shanaka is included, and fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has also been named, though his place is subject to a fitness clearance before the series gets underway.
Pak vs Sri Head-to-Head Record
Across their full T20I history, Pakistan holds the edge over Sri Lanka, having won the clear majority of their meetings since the two sides first played a T20I against each other in 2007. The rivalry has had phases where Sri Lanka dominated notably a 3-0 T20I series win in Pakistan during 2019–20 but Pakistan has generally come out on top over the long run, including across Tests and ODIs combined.
The format-by-format picture looks different depending on the era: Sri Lanka had the better of Pakistan in Test cricket through the 2010s, while Pakistan has generally held an edge in white-ball cricket, particularly T20Is.
Recent Form Between the Two Sides
The two teams have met often in the past year, and results have gone back and forth:
- February 28, 2026: Pakistan won by 5 runs (T20 World Cup, Super Eights)
- January 11, 2026: Sri Lanka won by 14 runs (3rd T20I)
- January 9, 2026: Match abandoned, no ball bowled (2nd T20I)
- January 7, 2026: Pakistan won by 6 wickets (1st T20I)
- November 29, 2025: Pakistan won by 6 wickets (Final, earlier series)
This recent split suggests the sides are closely matched in T20I cricket right now, even though Pakistan’s long-term head-to-head record is stronger.
Where to Watch Pak vs Sri
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Sri Lanka Cricket hold the broadcast rights in their respective home markets, with international viewers typically able to follow commentary, live scores, and highlights through official cricket broadcasters and streaming apps in their region. Ball-by-ball score updates are also available on major cricket score platforms during each match.
FAQs
Who has the better head-to-head record, Pakistan or Sri Lanka?
Pakistan holds the stronger overall head-to-head across formats, especially in T20Is, though Sri Lanka has had periods of dominance, including in Test cricket during parts of the 2010s.
Where is the Pak vs Sri 2026 T20I series being played?
All three T20Is are being played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Pakistan, from October 9 to October 13, 2026.
Who is Pakistan’s new T20I captain?
Sahibzada Farhan is Pakistan’s new T20I captain, having replaced Salman Ali Agha, who was dropped from the squad.
Who captains Sri Lanka on this tour?
Kusal Mendis leads Sri Lanka’s T20I squad for the tour of Pakistan.
How long does the full Pak vs Sri 2026 tour last?
The tour runs from October 9 to November 21, 2026, covering T20Is, an ODI tri-series with England, and two Test matches.
Conclusion
The Pak vs Sri rivalry remains one of cricket’s most competitive matchups, and the 2026 edition brings fresh storylines:
A new Pakistan T20I captain in Sahibzada Farhan, a settled Sri Lankan squad under Kusal Mendis, and a full multi-format tour running from October through November.
While Pakistan holds the stronger long-term head-to-head record, recent results show just how close these two sides have become in T20I cricket.
If you’re tracking the Rawalpindi T20Is, the ODI tri-series with England, or the closing Test series in November, this tour promises plenty of competitive cricket between two teams with genuine history. Check back for updated scores and results as each match unfolds.
Naomi Wave is an emoji content enthusiast at EmojiSpotz.com, creating fresh and engaging content about emoji meanings, viral trends, and creative ways to express emotions online.
