Pakistan is set to tour Sri Lanka in early January 2026 for a concise but significant three-match T20I series as both sides prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Reports confirm that the tour itinerary has been finalized, with all fixtures scheduled to take place in Dambulla.
The series will run from January 7 to 11, with the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium hosting all three matches. The schedule is as follows: the first T20I on January 7, the second on January 9, and the third on January 11, all at the same venue.
Next year’s T20 World Cup is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Under the tournament’s Hybrid Model, Pakistan will play its entire World Cup campaign in Sri Lanka, allowing the team to compete at a neutral venue without traveling to India.
Sources indicate that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) maintained regular communication to finalize the arrangements, and the series has now been officially agreed upon.
These matches will provide Pakistan with crucial preparation in Sri Lankan conditions just weeks ahead of the global event, enabling the team to test combinations, acclimatize to local pitches, and refine strategies suited to the conditions they are likely to face during the World Cup.
All fixtures have been relocated to Dambulla due to ongoing renovation and upgrade work at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The same upgrades have also caused Sri Lanka Cricket to postpone the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), initially scheduled for November–December, highlighting the focus on improving infrastructure ahead of major international events.
The upcoming T20I series promises competitive cricket while offering Pakistan an opportunity to fine-tune its preparations for the marquee tournament on subcontinental pitches.
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