RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the third match of the T20I tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday, setting the stage for a crucial showdown as both sides look to gain momentum in the tournament.
Pakistan were forced into a late change, with star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi ruled out due to a foot injury.
Right-arm pacer Salman Mirza has been drafted into the playing XI, offering the hosts a fresh bowling option.
Pakistan Squad
Salman Ali Agha (c), Hassan Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq.
Sri Lanka Squad
Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Pavan Rathnayake, Eshan Malinga.
Head-to-head
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have met 24 times in T20Is. Pakistan hold a narrow edge with 14 wins, while Sri Lanka have won 10.
Their latest clash came in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, where Pakistan recorded a comfortable five-wicket victory.
Matches: 24
Pakistan: 14
Sri Lanka: 10
Form Guide
The two teams enter the contest in contrasting form. Pakistan have built a strong three-match winning streak, showcasing improvements with both bat and ball.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are under pressure after losing four consecutive T20Is, including a surprising defeat to Zimbabwe earlier in the tri-series.
Pakistan: W, W, W, L, L (most recent first)
Sri Lanka: L, L, L, L, W
