Before the T20 World Cup, the Sri Lanka cricket team will host Pakistan in January 2026 for a three-match T20 series between the two nations. The T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is scheduled to take place between February 7 and March 8.
Sports News: Cricket fans will witness an exciting bilateral series before the T20 World Cup 2026, as the Pakistan National Cricket Team will tour Sri Lanka for a three-match T20 International Series in January 2026. The official announcement of this series was made by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) via their Instagram handle. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also highlighted its immense importance for T20 World Cup preparations.
According to Sri Lanka Cricket, the Pakistan team will play three T20 matches between January 7 and 11, 2026. All matches of the series will be held at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla, known for its spin-friendly pitch and scenic environment.
PCB Highlights Series' Importance
An official statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board stated that this tour will provide the team with valuable match practice and a great opportunity to acclimatize to the conditions before the major Global Event, the T20 World Cup 2026, next year. Indeed, the T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka between February 7 and March 8.
Consequently, Pakistan is set to play all their World Cup matches in Sri Lankan conditions. Therefore, this bilateral series could prove highly beneficial for Pakistan.
Full Schedule of the T20 Series
The complete schedule for this 3-Match T20 Series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is as follows:
- First T20 Match: January 7, 2026 – Dambulla
- Second T20 Match: January 9, 2026 – Dambulla
- Third T20 Match: January 11, 2026 – Dambulla
All three matches will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, which has hosted several high-scoring and thrilling encounters in recent years.
