ISLAMABAD: The first contingent of the Sri Lankan cricket team arrived in Islamabad ahead of their upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, with the opening match scheduled for Friday.
The 13-member group, which landed at Islamabad International Airport, includes eight players from Sri Lanka’s T20I squad and five members of the team management.
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Kusal Mendis among early arrivals
Sri Lanka T20I captain Kusal Mendis was among the players who reached Pakistan, along with Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga.
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Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Dunith Wellalage were also part of the first group to arrive in Islamabad.
Sri Lanka’s head coach, two more players and two additional officials are expected to join the squad on Monday, while the remaining five members of the T20I team will arrive on Tuesday.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka set for T20I battle
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will begin their three-match T20I series on Friday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with all matches of the series scheduled to take place at the same venue from October 9 to 13.
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The tour marks Sri Lanka’s first visit to Pakistan for a bilateral short-format series since 2019, when the two teams played a three-match T20I series in Lahore. Pakistan won that series 3-0.
The two sides have met 31 times in T20 internationals, with Pakistan winning 18 matches and Sri Lanka claiming 13 victories.
Busy schedule ahead for both teams
Following the T20I series, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England will compete in an ODI tri-series, which will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the opening match of the tri-series on October 18 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The final of the tournament is scheduled for October 31 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Sri Lanka will later remain in Pakistan for a three-day warm-up match before beginning a two-Test series against Pakistan. The Test matches will be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
Sri Lanka squad for T20I series against Pakistan
Kusal Mendis (c), Kamil Mishara, Sineth Jayawardena, Lahiru Udara, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga and Dushmantha Chameera (subject to fitness).
