Pakistan hold a slight edge going into the opening T20I at Rawalpindi. This Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match prediction rates the hosts at 54% against 46% for the visitors, mainly because of home conditions and a batting group built around Captain Sahibzada Farhan, although Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana keep the margin narrow. Read on for the toss outlook, pitch and weather notes, head-to-head figures, the likely playing XI, squads, fantasy cricket tips and broadcast details.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Match Details
Match | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | 1st T20I | Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan |
Date | 09/10/2026 (Friday) |
Time | BDT 7:00 PM / PKT 6:00 PM / INR 6:30 PM |
Format | T20 |
Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
Recent performance | Pakistan – L W A W L, Sri Lanka – L L A L W |
PAK vs SL Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan 2026: Live Streaming & Broadcast Info
Where you can watch the series opener depends on your location, so the available platforms are grouped by region below. Click here to watch the Live Stream on Sports Live Hub (SLH).
- Pakistan: PTV Sports, Tapmad
- India: Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV
- USA & Canada: Willow TV (available via Prime Video)
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports, Sky Go
- Worldwide: Matches available via Sports Live Hub for global streaming access across regions.
Broadcast details may vary by region.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Toss Prediction
Pakistan are expected to win the toss and bat first. With no confirmed word on dew or how the Rawalpindi surface will play, the decision comes down to intent: set a total, then back spin and the new ball to defend it. Their most recent match was a chase that fell 19 runs short, which makes batting first an easy call to justify.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
No pitch report was supplied for this ground, so the groundstaff’s preparation will only be revealed on the day. In T20 cricket the opening overs usually tell the story: if the bounce is even and the ball comes on, totals climb quickly, but if the surface grips, spinners such as Abrar Ahmed and Maheesh Theekshana become central figures. Both sides will finalise their combinations after inspecting the strip.
Weather Report
Temperature and dew information were not part of the match data. Because this is an evening start, dew could appear later and tends to help the side batting second by making the ball harder to hold. Our toss pick still favours batting first, so heavy dew is the one factor that could challenge that plan. Conditions closer to the first ball will give a clearer picture.
PAK vs SL Head-to-Head Records
Matches Played | 31 |
PAK Won | 18 |
SL Won | 12 |
Tied | 0 |
No Result | 1 |
First-ever Fixture | September 17, 2007 |
Most-recent Fixture | February 28, 2026 |
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Team Preview & Squads
Pakistan
Sahibzada Farhan takes charge of a squad coming off a painful Final defeat. Pakistan chased 212 against India at Nisshin on October 3 and ended on 192/6, 19 runs adrift. How Farhan responds, both as captain and as a batter expected to top the charts, will set the tone for the opener. A recent form line of L W A W L suggests a team still finding its rhythm.
Shadab Khan is named as the key batter in this squad. Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, Khawaja Nafay and Maaz Sadaqat make up the rest of the wider batting group. Farhan is our pick for both top score and most sixes, so the total will rise or fall with his start. Getting to 192 while chasing a big target showed that the order can score at pace.
Abrar Ahmed is the key bowler and Saim Ayub the key all-rounder, with Ayub also our choice for most wickets and Player of the Match. Naseem Shah, Sufyan Moqim, Mohammad Imran and Salman Mirza add further choices, so a balanced playing XI could pair Abrar with Ayub to make the most of the surface.
Pakistan Squad
Sahibzada Farhan, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Imran, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan, Sufyan Moqim
Sri Lanka
Kusal Mendis is both captain and key batter, so plenty rests on his shoulders. Sri Lanka arrive with a form line of L L A L W, though the latest result was a positive one: a 63-run win over Bangladesh in the third-place play-off, after scoring 165/9 and bowling the opposition out for 102. That victory should lift the mood in the camp.
Beyond Mendis, the batting includes Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Sahan Arachchige, Sineth Jayawardena, Lahiru Udara and Chamindu Wickramasinghe. Dasun Shanaka is our pick for top score and most sixes, a late-innings role that could decide whether Sri Lanka reach the 170+ mark we expect.
Dushmantha Chameera is the key bowler, while Shanaka doubles as the key all-rounder. Maheesh Theekshana is tipped for the most wickets, supported by Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, Eshan Malinga, Dunith Wellalage and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth. Dismissing Bangladesh for 102 shows the attack can be ruthless on its day.
Sri Lanka Squad
Kusal Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Sineth Jayawardena, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Lahiru Udara, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dunith Wellalage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe
PAK vs SL Prediction
Event | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
Toss Winner | Pakistan | – |
Player of the Match | Saim Ayub | – |
Top Run Scorer | Sahibzada Farhan | Dasun Shanaka |
Top Wicket Taker | Saim Ayub | Maheesh Theekshana |
Most Sixes | Sahibzada Farhan | Dasun Shanaka |
Predicted Score | 180+ | 170+ |
Win Probability | 54% | 46% |
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Winning Prediction
Pakistan are our choice for the 1st T20I, with a 54% chance of victory against 46% for Sri Lanka, based on home advantage and batting depth around Farhan. Sri Lanka’s bowlers can still turn the contest. Can Shanaka drag the visitors past 170 in Rawalpindi? Tell us what you think, and keep following JeetBuzz for more updates, stats and analysis.
FAQ: Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan 2026 1st T20I
Q1. What time does the 1st T20I begin in IST?
The match starts at 6:30 PM IST on October 9, 2026.
Q2. How can viewers in the UK watch the game?
The match is available to steam live on Sports Live Hub (SLH).
Q3. Who is Sri Lanka’s key bowler for this match?
Dushmantha Chameera is listed as Sri Lanka’s key bowler.