RAWALPINDI: Pakistan have stepped up preparations for the upcoming home ODI tri-series against England and Sri Lanka, with captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and his teammates taking part in their first training session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday ahead of the tournament starting on October 18.
🚨 THE KING IS READY! 👑🔥
– Babar Azam and the Pakistan squad hit the training ground hard, gearing up for the upcoming ODI Tri-Series!
– Absolute intensity and focus from the team as they sweat it out in practice ahead of the blockbuster tournament.
Birthday boy running. https://t.co/xpXlDSLDBy
— M Farhan (@MFarhan1200) October 15, 2026
The hosts began their preparations with bowling coach Shaun Tait working extensively with the fast bowlers, including Shaheen and emerging pacer Razaullah, as Pakistan look to sharpen their attack for the seven-match competition running until October 31.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka train in Rawalpindi ahead of opener
Alongside bowling practice, Pakistan’s players participated in batting and fielding drills under the supervision of the coaching staff. Sri Lanka also trained at the Rawalpindi venue, while the England squad was scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Friday, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
🚨 UPDATE – PAKISTAN TRAINING SESSION! 🇵🇰
– The Pakistan cricket team took part in their first training session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
– The players participated in long net sessions of batting and bowling, along with fielding drills.
– The Tri-Nation Series begins on October 18 in Rawalpindi.
— Rayham. (@RayhamUnplugged) October 15, 2026
The tri-series will begin on Sunday, October 18, with Pakistan facing Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The hosts will then meet England at the same venue on October 20, before England and Sri Lanka play each other on October 22.
The teams will subsequently move to Lahore for the remaining league-stage matches. Pakistan will face England at Gaddafi Stadium on October 25 and Sri Lanka on October 27, while Sri Lanka and England will meet on October 29.
The top two teams in the standings will qualify for the final, scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium on October 31.
Read Also: Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam Join Squad for Home ODI Tri-Series
Pakistan ODI squad
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Moqim.
ODI tri-series schedule
- October 18: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka — Rawalpindi
- October 20: Pakistan vs England — Rawalpindi
- October 22: Sri Lanka vs England — Rawalpindi
- October 25: Pakistan vs England — Lahore
- October 27: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka — Lahore
- October 29: Sri Lanka vs England — Lahore
- October 31: Tri-series final — Lahore
