RAWALPINDI: Pakistan will bowl first against Sri Lanka in the opening T20 International of their three-match T20I series after the visitors won the toss and elected to bat at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
🚨 TOSS ALERT 🚨
Sri Lnaka win the toss and elect to bat first in the opening T20I 🏏
#PAKvSL | #CricketKaJashan https://t.co/ZVcbrgZYnO
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 9, 2026
The series opener offers Pakistan an opportunity to build momentum on home soil, while Sri Lanka will look to exploit the bowling conditions and take an early lead in the contest.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka T20I head-to-head
Pakistan hold the historical advantage in T20 Internationals against Sri Lanka, having won 18 of their 31 encounters, compared with 13 victories for the Islanders.
Their most recent meeting came in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, when Pakistan secured a narrow five-run victory.
However, Sri Lanka will draw confidence from their last bilateral T20I series in Pakistan in 2019, when they swept the hosts 3-0.
Read Also: Sahibzada Farhan Sets Attacking Tone as Pakistan Prepare for Sri Lanka T20I Battle Tomorrow
T20I head-to-head record:
- Matches played: 31
- Pakistan wins: 18
- Sri Lanka wins: 13
Both teams look to build momentum
Pakistan enter the series after winning the silver medal in the men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games, where they lost to eventual champions India in the final.
Sri Lanka claimed bronze at the continental event after defeating Bangladesh in the third-place playoff.
Both sides have experienced mixed results in their last five T20Is. Pakistan have recorded two wins, two defeats and one abandoned match, while Sri Lanka have managed one victory, three defeats and one abandoned game.
Read Also: Pakistan-Sri Lanka T20Is: Where to Watch the Action Live
Recent form
- Pakistan: L, W, A, W, L
- Sri Lanka: W, L, A, L, L
Squads
Two debutants in Pakistan’s playing XI for the first T20I 🆚 Sri Lanka 🏏
#PAKvSL | #CricketKaJashan https://t.co/G7RucIn9Ud
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 9, 2026
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Maaz Sadaqat, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Moqim.
Sri Lanka: Kamil Mishara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis (captain), 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.
