Pakistan vs Sri Lanka SL in PAK, 3 T20Is, 2026

SIX! Nafay finishes off in style and Pakistan win by 4 wickets. On a back of a length, around the off stump line. Khawaja Nafay stands tall and swings it powerfully over long on for a six. Doesn't even bother to see whether the ball has sailed all over the ropes as he holds his pose with confidence. Pakistan go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series.

Back of a length, zipping and jagging back in with bounce. Imran is taken by surprise by the extra bounce and is cramped up for room. Tries to work it across but takes a stinging blow on the right forearm. The ball deflects to the off side, in thereabouts of cover-point for a leg bye.

A dipping full toss, on the stumps. Imran jams the bat down in time and shovels it to the bowler.

Mohammad Imran is the new batter in at number 8.

OUT! TAKEN! Another wicket has fallen, despite only 3 runs required. Shadab tries to hit the winning runs but falls. Hits the deck hard does Malinga and bangs in a shorter one, around middle and leg, offering very little room to extend the arms. Shadab takes on the short ball with a hook shot, but can only sky a top edge deep down the leg side. Thushara moves across from long leg, positions himself comfortably beneath the high ball, and scoops it safely into his cusp.

Good running between the sticks! Much fuller, on off. Khawaja Nafay knocks it toward the right of the mid off fielder and sprints to the other end to take the single.

Should be the last over of the match. A matter of one hit for Pakistan to take the lead in the series. Eshan Malinga (3-0-26-1) returns.

Bangs hard onto the length, over middle. Shadab Khan misses out to connect his pull and gets beaten on the top edge.

Gutted is the word for Farhan. He had the finish in sight. With just 4 needed off 13 balls, Shadab Khan is in at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT! A splendid effort in the deep by Sahan Arachchige. Thushara sends down a full toss on leg stump, and Farhan, who has moved back and across, whips it into the air through the on side. There is not enough elevation on the shot as the ball sails flatly. Arachchige is the man at deep mid-wicket. He charges in, launches himself forward and snatches the ball with both hands inches off the turf. It is a magnificent grab, but it comes far too late to rescue Sri Lanka.

SIX! The biggie from the skipper and Pakistan should be able to get the rest of the chase with ease. Short of a length, outside off. Sahibzada Farhan backs away and slaps it over deep cover for a biggie.

FOUR! A loose delivery gets its treatment. Aiming for a yorker, but spilling out a low full toss, on middle. Sahibzada Farhan hangs back and heaves it toward deep square leg for four runs.

Yorker, outside off, Sahibzada Farhan jams it away, but straight to the cover fielder.

FOUR! THWACK! Nuwan opens the over with a bouncer outside off, and Farhan, clearly in no mood to hang around, is ready for it. He rocks back, slaps it in the air and sends it sailing over the cover fielder for four.

Pakistan need 18 runs from 18 balls. Nuwan Thushara returns into the attack. 2-0-18-0 are his bowling figures so far.

Flighted well outside off, on a good length. Farhan skips down the track with a big heave across the line in mind. But only manages to get it off the inner half of the bat. The ball dribbles out to deep mid-wicket, where they pick up a single.

Short and sliding into the batter, stabbed back to the bowler off the back foot.

Quicker and flatter, outside off. Farhan knocks the length ball to the cover fielder.

Drags it short and outside off, Farhan backs away and slaps it to widish deep cover-point for a couple of more runs.

Onto the pads, drifting down leg, Nafay whips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Slower through the air, on a length, outside off. Nafay hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a couple of runs.

Righto, last 4 overs left. Pakistan need 24 runs to win. The skipper is still at the crease and ticking along nicely, so the hosts are firmly in the driver's seat. But if the tourists manage to get rid of Farhan, things will spice up once again. Dunith Wellalage is back on.

Spins in from middle to leg, on a length. Nafay knocks it down to long on for a single.

Quicker through the air, full on off, Khawaja pushes it back to the bowler. 25 runs needed off 25 balls.

Short outside off, Farhan punches hard off the back foot to cover. A half-stop there by the fielder allows the batters to steal a run.

Drops it a tad short, on leg, punched off the back foot to mid-wicket. The fielder there makes a fine diving stop to his left.

Length ball at the pads from over the wicket. Nafay works it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Khawaja Nafay is in at number 6.

OUT! BOWLED! Absolute jaffa from Theekshana who has his second wicket. He dishes out a length-delivery from around the stumps. It lands and turns in a mile into the batter, Saim Ayub goes back and across to punch it to the off side but the ball skids and sneaks through the gap between bat and pad and clatters into the stumps. Farhan is stranded at the other end as he sees another batter fall. Pakistan are 158/4, needing 25 runs.

Pakistan need 27 runs from 30 balls. Looks pretty one-sided unless Sri Lanka spring a surprise towards the backend. Maheesh Theekshana (3-0-33-1) will bowl out.

Back of a length, outside off, Saim Ayub slices it to deep point for a single.

Bangs hard into the good length, shaping in, over middle. Sahibzada Farhan tries to pull it, but the ball stays a bit low and beats the under edge to hit around the batter's midriff. The ball further bounces off toward cover and the batter gets across for a leg bye.

Short of a length, shaping outside off. Saim Ayub guides it through backward point and gets a single.

FOUR! Near, but not near enough. 150 up for Pakistan. They need just 30 runs to win from 33 balls. Ayub gets served with plenty of width on a platter, and he doesn’t pass it up. It's short and well outside off, and he gives it a mighty slash, slicing the ball over backward point. The sweeper on the off side goes full tilt to his right and throws himself at the ball right by the rope, but he's a fraction too late and it clears the line.

Good length and outside the off stump, Ayub leans into the drive, flaying it through the cover point region. The man at deep point moves to his right but fumbles the pick-up, and that lets Ayub scamper back for the second.

Two quick wickets for Sri Lanka. Is there any late twist left in the game? Saim Ayub is in at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Dushmantha Chameera gets back into the attack and strikes on the frist first ball. Full-length delivery, angling down the leg side. Hasan Nawaz tries to glance it away, but ends up getting a slight inside edge before it strays down the leg side, and Kusal Mendis shows great agility behind the stumps, tracking the deflection to his left to hold a clean catch.

Dushmantha Chameera is back into the attack. He has gone for 32 runs in 2 overs and will look to redeem himself now.

Turning in, on a nagging length, around middle. Hasan Nawaz clips it to square leg and gets a single.

Hasan Nawaz walks in at number 4. Fresh off a fighting 96 against India in the Gold Medal match at the Asian Games in Japan.

OUT! LBW! Theekshana strikes but that seems to be too little too late for the Islanders. The whirlwind 92-run stand is broken. Pitched on a length, around the off stump. It lands and bites into the surface and zips back in with real venom. Sadaqat reads the line wrongly, and his attempted punch down the ground finds nothing but air as the ball slips through the gap between bat and pad. It raps him on the back pad, plumb in front of middle and leg stumps. A gentle appeal is all that is needed for the umpire to raise his finger. Maaz trudges off without reviewing. Pakistan are 146/2 in 13.5 overs, needing 37 runs in 37 balls.

Short, around off, Farhan punches it to the left of the bowler. Maheesh Theekshana des well to make a half stop and the batter gets across.

FOUR! The runs are just not stopping! Short of a length, just outside off. Sahibzada Farhan transfers his weight onto his back foot and spanks it toward the right of the diving extra cover fielder for four runs.

FOUR! This is just getting better and better for the newly appointed captain of Pakistan. Maheesh Theekshana drags his length back, over middle. Sahibzada Farhan gets on his back foot and pulls hard at it to beat the deep backward square leg fielder to his left for four runs.

SIX! HUMONGOUS! Tossed up, fuller, just outside off. Sahibzada Farhan crouches down on one knee and slog sweeps it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Maheesh Theekshana (2-0-17-0) is back on, replacing Eshan Malinga.

Flatter and quicker, full on the off stump. Farhan works it down to long on for a single.

Beaten! Tossed up delivery around the off stump. Farhan leans forward, looking for a big booming cover drive on the up, but the ball spins and zips past the inside edge. Kusal Mendis grabs the ball cleanly behind the stumps and whips the bails off in a flash. Oh, hang on! The on-field umpires have sent it upstairs for a stumping check. The TV umpire checks a couple of replays and he finds Farhan's back foot completely grounded and inside the crease when Kusal dislodges the stumps. NOT OUT flashes on the giant screen.

FOUR! Oh no, another misfield from the Lankans! Short and wide outside off. Farhan slaps it hard through the cover region! Arachchige charges across from sweeper cover, slides to cut it off, but overruns the line of the ball. It slips right through his fingers and trickles away to the rope for four.

FIFTY FOR SADAQAT! It is a quick one from Maaz Sadaqat, but his shots have been utterly pure. Short of a length, around middle. Maaz Sadaqat rocks back and tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a single to get to his maiden half-century in T20Is and he gets there in just 28 balls. What a day for the 21-year-old. He had a productive CPL, with a couple of centuries to his name, and he has now carried that form into the national colours in superb fashion.

A touch fuller, on middle. Maaz Sadaqat powers it groundedly, toward deep square leg and gets a brace.

WIDE! Pitches it up, way outside off. Maaz Sadaqat fails to connect his reverse sweep and the umpire calls a wide.

Short of a length, around off, Maaz Sadaqat pats it to cover.

An off-cutter, on a length, outside off. Maaz rocks back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Beaten! Back of a length, outside off, Maaz Sadaqat charges down the track to slaps it away but misses.

FOUR! Oh, that's way too casual from Dunith Wellalage! Back of a length around leg, and Sadaqat nudges it off his hips towards deep backward square leg, where a single looks like the most he will get. Then Wellalage spoils it. He lets his eyes drift off the ball in the deep, fumbles the pick-up, and it dribbles away over the rope. A simple single becomes a gifted boundary. Nothing going right for Sri Lanka in their defence.

Bouncer, just outside off. Maaz Sadaqat tries to upper cut it, but fails to find the connection.

Back of a length, outside off, Farhan rocks back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Pitches it on a length, outside off, Maaz rocks back and flays it through covers for a single.

Another productive over for Pakistan with 11 runs coming off it. Eshan Malinga (2-0-19-1), the only successful bowler for Sri Lanka, returns, replacing Dasun Shanaka.

Dropped short, on leg, Maaz hangs back and drags it with a pull shot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FIFTY FOR FARHAN! The new skipper takes responsibility for the chase, and he is not letting his teammates or the fans of Pakistan down. Fuller in length, on middle, Sahibzada Farhan works it to wide mid on and gets a single to get to his 11th half-century in T20Is and his third against Sri Lanka in this format.

Shorter on, outside off, Maaz Sadaqat slaps it to cover for a single.

A touch fuller, on off, Maaz Sadaqat pulls it to deep square leg for a brace.

SIX! KABOOM! Flatter trajectory from Wellalage, pitching it outside off. Maaz Sadaqat skips down the track, gets to the pitch of the delivery and smashes it over long on for half a dozen.

Fuller, on middle, Maaz Sadaqat lunges to drive it to long on, but gets on the outside edge before it rolls toward cover.

Halfway through the chase. Pakistan are in a very commanding position, needing 79 runs in 60 balls. As Sri Lanka desperately hunt for a breakthrough, Dunith Wellalage is brought into the attack now, replacing Maheesh Theekshana.

Slower delivery, full and outside off, Sadaqat reaches out and drives it to wide long off for a single. At halfway, Pakistan are 104/1 and that also brings up the 50-run partnership between Maaz and Farhan.

Wide! A slower ball on a good length, well outside off and hugging the tramline. Sadaqat steps out and stretches for the square drive, but he misses it and the keeper gathers behind the stumps. The umpire signals wide, which looks like a harsh call, and Shanaka is far from pleased about it.

Full and seemingly an off-pace delivery, outside off. Maaz mistimes the drive, straight to the cover fielder.

Fuller from over the stumps, on the stumps, angling in. Farhan flicks it firmly to deep mid-wicket for a single. He moves to 49!

Short of a length, angling in from around the stumps. Maaz Sadaqat hangs back and runs it down to long off for a single.

Oh, dear! Maaz Sadaqat is down on the ground, clutching his left leg and in need of medical help. The physio rushes out to check him up and the umpires call for DRINKS. Sri Lanka have only one wicket to show for their efforts, and they badly need more, because the game is slipping away from them. Pakistan need 83 from 64 balls with nine wickets in hand. Sahibzada Farhan is setting the pace at the top, while Maaz Sadaqat has found his rhythm and is attacking in his usual fashion. To be fair to the batters, Sri Lanka's bowling has been wayward, but Farhan and Sadaqat deserve credit for knocking them off their lines and lengths. The dew has played its part as well, making the ball tricky to grip. Right then, Maaz is back on his feet after receiving the treatment and we are good to resume.

FOUR! 100 UP FOR PAKISTAN! Back of a length and drifting down the leg side, a gift for Sadaqat. He gets inside the line, swivels into the pull and sends it racing to the fine leg fence.

Good energetic running! Full on the pads, Maaz Sadaqat whips it to the right of deep square leg and they hurry back for the second run. The throw arrives towards the batting end and cannons into Sadaqat’s left leg. He looks to be in some discomfort for a moment, but he shakes it off and carries on.

SIX! GIGANTIC! Drops it into the wheelhouse, full on the stumps. Sahibzada Farhan picks the length early, drops down to one knee and handsomely slogs it over long on for a massive six.

Short and wide outside off from over the stumps. Farhan throws his bat at it and punches it off the toe end to cover.

Full and pushed through, on off, Maaz drives it to long off for a single.

FOUR! That's a poor delivery and it gets the treatment! Maheesh comes from around the stumps and darts in a short ball that slides down leg. Maaz Sadaqat uses the pace and just whips it over short fine leg for a boundary. One bounce and into the fence.

Dishes out the carrom ball, short on off. Sahibzada Farhan backs away and punches it to long off for a single. Pakistan need exactly 100 runs from 70 balls.

Flatter, shorter, on off. Farhan hangs back and stabs it down the pitch.

Sri Lanka have made a slight comeback as 12 runs have come in the last 2 overs for Pakistan. But the tourists need wickets here to really give themselves a real chance.

Comes from around the stumps and bashes the length hard, does Dasun. Angles the ball into the batter and gets it to kick up a bit as well. That cramps Maaz for room as he looks to play at it. Gets an inside edge onto the left boot. He hobbles a bit, but looks fine to resume.

Short of a length, around off. Farhan camps back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Short and on off, Farhan chops it off the back foot to the off side.

Short of a good length around middle and leg. Sadaqat works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short of a good length, spilling down the leg side. Farhan tries to tickle it fine to the off side, but the ball appears to flick his thigh pad on the way through. Mendis springs to his left and gets a glove on it, cutting off the boundary, and the batters take a leg bye!

FOUR! Greeted with a crisp punch! Back of a length, outside off, Sahibzada Farhan hangs back, lets the ball arrive and punches it into the gap through cover and mid off for a cracking boundary. Farhan moves to 40.

A quiet over from Theekshana. Just 3 runs from it. Dasun Shanaka is introduced into the attack now.

Darts in a yorker on middle, Farhan shovels it out and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Comes from around the wicket. It is a length ball around the off stump at 94.9 kph. Sadaqat leans into a drive and sends it to the right of Theekshana, who dives and gets a hand to it, but can only manage a half stop. The batters hurry through for a quick single.

Full and flat, on off, Farhan drives it down to long off for an easy single.

Similar delivery, full and turning away. Farhan gets a leading edge and the ball is sliced along the ground to cover.

Spins away, full on off, Farhan looks to flick it to the leg side, but gets a slight leading edge and the ball rolls to the off side.

Short of a length at the off stump. Tucked away to the left of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

What a Powerplay this has been for Pakistan. 32 runs in the last 2 overs and they have galloped to 70/1. Sadaqat is already up and running with a couple of fine hits. Maheesh Theekshana is into the attack as the field spreads. Sri Lanka desperately need another wicket here to slow things down.

FOUR! Despite losing a wicket, the guns are just stopping. Eshan Malinga bends his back and offers a good bouncer, over off. Maaz Sadaqat gets on his toes, arches backward and opens the face of his bat to cut it over short third for four more runs. You can just admire these kinds of shots and nothing else.

SIX! BANG! Good-length delivery, around middle and off. Maaz Sadaqat strides out and swats it over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen.

On a length, on off, Maaz Sadaqat dabs it to backward point.

SIX! Maaz Sadaqat has arrived with that biggie. Pitches it up, on off, angling just a shade away from the batter. Maaz Sadaqat prods forward and offers a no-look flick to hit it uppishly over deep square leg for a massive six.

Hits the deck hard and gets the bounce off the deck, just outside off. Maaz Sadaqat rocks back and guides it to point.

Sri Lanka have their first breakthrough and would like to build pressure now. Maaz Sadaqat is in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Commentators curse, anyone? We had barely finished praising the way both openers had started, and Fakhar is on his way back. Full credit to Eshan, though, who hit the right areas to earn it. He bangs it on a short of a good length, outside the off stump. Fakhar Zaman hops on the toes and tries to play the square cut through point but the extra bounce does him in. The ball gets big on him, takes the outside edge and carries through to the keeper. Kusal Mendis ain't dropping those. Pakistan are 54/1, chasing 183 runs.

Chameera has been taken to the cleaners tonight. He has conceded 32 runs off his 2 overs so far. Pakistan couldn't have asked for a better start than this with both openers going great guns.

FOUR! Thumped away! On a nagging length, just outside off. Sahibzada Farhan stays on his back foot and punches it hard through cover for four runs.

Back of a length, outside off. Sahibzada Farhan makes room and slices it over backward point for a brace. The double brings up the 50 for Pakistan in just 4.5 overs.

Another slower one, fuller, on middle, Fakhar Zaman clips it to square leg for a single.

FOUR! More runs for Pakistan! Slower delivery from Chameera, fuller in length, around off. Fakhar Zaman clears the front foot and waits for the proper timing to hit it over mid on for four runs.

Short, around off, Sahibzada Farhan taps it to cover and gets a single.

FOUR! Pitched up and full, on off and middle. Sahibzada Farhan has spotted that both fielders down the ground are inside the inner circle, so he backs himself and swings hard, going over the top. The ball does not come off the sweet spot, finding the toe end of the bat, but there is enough power in the shot to carry it all the way to the boundary.

Dushmantha Chameera (1-0-16-0) is brought back into the attack. He replaces Nuwan Thushara.

Slightly fuller than a length, outside off, Fakhar stays leg side and knocks it away to cover-point. Excellent over by Malinga. Just 3 runs from it.

Good variation from Malinga! Slower one at just 112.9 kph, full and outside off. Fakhar Zaman is completely deceived by the lack of pace. He swings hard to heave it over mid-wicket but misses to connect.

Tighter around the off stump, on a length, Fakhar Zaman tries to tap it to the off side, but the ball nips in, takes the inside edge and rolls off the thigh pad to the off side.

Back of a length, around off, Farhan punches it to deep point for a single.

That was a sizzling delivery from Eshan! Generates steep bounce from a good length, on top of off. Sahibzada Farhan hops back to work it across but his bat comes late after the ball shoots behind to the keeper. Kusal Mendis leaps and makes a good grab over his head.

Back of a good length around fourth stump, and it lands and nips back in sharply. Farhan goes to punch it straight, but the ball cuts in and takes a thick inside edge, rolling away to the right of deep backward square leg. They hurry back for two.

After 3 overs, Pakistan are 35/0, whereas Sri Lanka were 16/1 at the same stage. The hosts need 149 runs in 102 balls. Eshan Malinga is brought into the attack now, replacing Dushmantha Chameera.

Short in length, on off, Farhan waits back and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single. 29 runs from the last 2 overs for Pakistan.

Thushara stops at the last second. Walks back to reload.

SIX! Handsomely played! Fuller and shaping away, on off. Sahibzada Farhan gets underneath the ball nicely and pumps it over long off for a cracking six.

A bit fuller and around off, Farhan carves it to mid off.

FOUR! SHOT! Much fuller, just outside the off stump. Sahibzada Farhan leans on it and drives to beat the mid on fielder for four runs.

IN THE AIR AND PUT DOWN! Shanaka is the guilty party. Full and on the leg stump, shaping away late. Farhan tries to clear the bowler’s head without moving his feet, but the bat twists in his hands and he slices it high towards mid off. Shanaka is backpedaling, with the ball swirling in the air, and he makes a real mess of it, failing to even get his fingertips to it. They scamper back for a couple. Farhan survives a scare.

Outswinger, on a length around off stump. Farhan looks to play the booming drive, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Oh my word... that is an exceptional save from Sahan Arachchige! Short of a length around leg, swinging across. Zaman tries to whip it away but closes the face way too early. He gets a leading edge that sails high towards the third man boundary. Arachchige sprints across to his right, leaps high into the air, pulls off a mid-air catch, and flicks it back into play just before landing beyond the ropes. He scrambles back in to tidy up and save the four some crucial runs for his team.

FOUR! Now, through the off side! Hard-length delivery, slanting across, outside off, Fakhar Zaman cuts it to deep cover and gets another boundary.

FOUR! Easy pickings for Zaman! Much fuller, around the pads, trying to trap the batter, but Fakhar Zaman understands the assignment and flicks it swiftly through square leg for another boundary.

Fuller, on middle, Fakhar Zaman flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

FOUR! Another streaky boundary, this time from Fakhar Zaman's willow. Good-length delivery, angling in, around off. Fakhar Zaman tries to heave it across, but induces the outside edge and it flies way over the short third region for four runs.

Full-length delivery, around leg. Fakhar Zaman fails to flick it away and wears on the front pad.

Pretty disciplined start by Thushara. Just 6 runs off the opening over. Dushmantha Chameera, currently on 99 T20I wickets to his name, will share the new ball from the other end.

A touch fuller, just outside off, nipping away. Sahibzada Farhan tries to work it across, but misses on the outside edge.

FOUR! Streaky! On a good length, outside off, shaping away. Sahibzada Farhan looks to lash it over cover, but gets an outside edge and it flies over short third for a boundary.

Pitches it up, on leg, Fakhar Zaman misses his flick and wears on the pad, before it rolls toward short fine leg for a leg bye.

Good length, outside off, Farhan pats it to cover for a single to get off the mark. Pakistan are underway as well!

Just a shade behind the fuller length, on off, Farhan nudges it to mid-wicket.

A beauty to start with! Pitching it fuller, on off, nipping it away from the batter. Sahibzada Farhan gets across and looks to work it to the leg side, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

A single to end the innings! Razaullah yet again spills out a low full toss, but this time, it is way below waist height, on off. Eshan Malinga rocks back to drive it toward extra cover and gets a quick single. Sri Lanka ends up posting 182 runs on the board!

Full, on off, shaping away. Dushmantha Chameera looks to flick it but gets the leading edge before the ball bounces off toward the left of the diving backward point for a single.

FOUR! Not entirely from the middle of the bat, but will work for the visitors. Short of a length, outside off. Dushmantha Chameera swings his arms and gets the connection from the upper part of the bat. It loops over the mid off fielder and bounces away for four runs.

NO BALL AND A BYE! A full toss from Razaullah, over waist height, outside off. Eshan Malinga fails to connect his pull. Dushmantha Chameera calls for a run and they get that successfully as the keeper misses the underarm throw to hit the stumps at the striker's end.

Back of a length, around leg, Dushmantha Chameera pulls it to long on for one.

BYE! Short of a length, angling across. Eshan Malinga rocks back and misses his pull. The keeper fumbles and the batter gets a bye.

Eshan Malinga is in at number 10.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Hands up in the air in delight for Razaullah as he has his maiden T20I wicket. A special moment to cherish for any bowler. A slower ball, on a length around off stump, clocked at 119.8 kph, and it climbs on Theekshana more than he expects. He goes back and across, looking to pull, but he's through the shot too early and the ball balloons into the air off the top edge. Razaullah moves a couple of steps to his right and settles under it for a simple catch. Sri Lanka are 172/8, with 5 balls remaining.

End of an enterprising knock from Udara. But his could end up being worth those few extra runs for Sri Lanka. Dushmantha Chameera is the new batter in at number 9 and Razaullah will wrap up the first innings.

OUT! TAKEN! Naseem gets the danger man. Fuller in length, on the stumps around middle and leg stump. Udara backs away, looking to free his arms and launch over the boundary, but fails to get the desired leverage. He miscues it off the inside half of the bat, sending an easy chance towards the long-on boundary. Hasan Nawaz ranges to his right, gets into a comfortable position, and pouches it securely.

FOUR! Clever batting from Udara and now he gets into the 90s! Naseem Shah bends his back and offers a bumper, over off. Lahiru Udara keeps his calm and upper-cuts it over short third for a boundary.

Bazid Khan informs us on air that one of the light towers has gone off. So there's a bit of a halt in play. Sahibzada Farhan walks towards Naseem and Imran too, joins the conflab. The issue has been resolved and the lights are properly functioning now. Good to continue.

Back of a length, around off, Maheesh Theekshana dabs it to cover with soft hands and gets a single.

Not a great deal of celebration from Naseem as he just turns around to his bowling mark. But that's a big wicket as Wellalage is more than capable of swinging a few into the stands. With just 9 legal balls left, Maheesh Theekshana is in at number 8.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Naseem gets his second wicket. Dunith keeps shuffling across in the crease and looks to play the scoop shot over short fine leg, but Naseem unleashes a laser-straight yorker on the stumps. Wellalage misses to connect and loses the balance, and also sees the leg stump getting uprooted. Sri Lanka are 167/6.

Short of a length, outside off, slower one. Lahiru Udara looks to hit it away, but gets the inside edge and it rolls toward the left of the keeper. Single taken.

On a length, outside off, Dunith Wellalage cuts it to deep cover for one.

FIVE WIDES! This has gone horribly wrong for Naseem Shah! Pitches it fuller, around the leg stump and swings it way down the leg side. Dunith Wellalage fails to connect his flick and it beats the diving keeper for a boundary.

Naseem Shah (3-0-24-1) will bowl the penultimate over.

Dot ball to end the 18th over! Flatter and much fuller, on middle. Lahiru Udara drills it back to the bowler. Abrar does well to make a stop to his left. 10 runs off the over. 19 from the last 2 for Sri Lanka.

Quicker and fuller, on leg. Lahiru goes for a sweep but gets a top edge behind backward square leg for a couple of runs.

FOUR! What a shot! Great awareness of the fielding placements. Slightly short of a length and outside off, Udara shuffles across his stumps and gets right inside the line. He scoops it over the top of short fine leg, and the ball runs away to the fence, beating the fielder's chase and slide.

Around off, slower through the air, on a length. Dunith Wellalage guides it wide of short third for a single.

Speared in, flatter and shorter, on the pads. Udara stabs it behind backward square leg for a single.

PUT DOWN! That is a very lucky escape for Lahiru Udara! Pitches on a length outside off stump, floating wide to tempt the hit. Udara presses forward with a big heave in mind, but he is nowhere near the pitch of the ball and skies it off the top edge of the bat. Abrar turns and sprints back, eyes glued to the ball, and stretches out his hands, but only gets his fingertips to it. Yet another life for Udara, and the batters scamper back for a couple.

Despite five wides, that was a decent over from Naseem. He mixed his pace and lengths smartly. Abrar Ahmed (3-0-26-0) is back on and will bowl out.

Slower bouncer, outside off, Udara hops and guides it to deep third for a single.

Back of a length, outside off, Dunith Wellalage cuts it half-heartedly toward deep point for one.

Back-of-the-hand slower one from Shah, fuller in length and angling it away from the off stump. Dunith Wellalage makes room to punch it aerially, but yet again gets beaten.

Hard-length delivery, angling across off. Dunith Wellalage tries to lash it over the inner cricle toward the off side, but misses on the top edge.

A slight hold in play as one of the two batters asks for a change of gloves. The reserve player jogs out with the replacement, and after a quick change, we are ready to go again.

FIVE WIDES! Khawaja Nafay has looked pretty nervy throughout the entire innings! Naseem pitches it fuller, on leg and swings back to take it away from the stumps. Dunith Wellalage misses his flick and Nafay, despite putting a dive to his right, fails to gather it into his gloves. The ball deflects and races to the deep third fence.

Change of pace, on the back of a good length, outside off. Lahiru Udara gets on his back foot and pulls it down to deep square leg for one.

Back of a length, just outside off, Dunith Wellalage guides it to deep third for a single.

Naseem Shah is back on. 1/15 in 2 overs are his bowling figures so far.

Short of a length, over off. Dunith Wellalage rocks back and tucks it to the vacant mid-wicket region, asking for a couple. But Shadab Khan himself sprints toward the rolling ball and keeps the pressure on the batters. They end up getting just a single.

An important wicket for Pakistan at a very crucial time. Shanaka could have proved lethal towards the backend. Dunith Wellalage is in at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shadab strikes back and looks to the heavens as he breaks the 57-run stand. Short and wide outside off, with plenty of width on offer. It was hardly a wicket-taking ball, but Shanaka throws his bat at it and slaps it flat down the ground, without enough power or elevation behind the shot. Fakhar Zaman moves to his left at long off and holds on to a comfortable catch. Sri Lanka are 140/5, with 25 balls left.

SIX! MUSCLED! Short by Shadab, on middle, spinning away. Dasun Shanaka has all the time in the world as he rocks back and effortlessly heaves it over cow corner for a mammoth six.

Dropped short, on middle, Udara hangs back and pulls it firmly to the left of deep mid-wicket for a single.

Huge appeal for LBW, but the umpire remains unmoved. Sahibzada Farhan takes the review. The UltraEdge shows no bat involvement, and the Ball Tracking reflects that the impact on the pad is outside off. Shadab pitches it fuller, but keeps his line outside off. Lahiru Udara goes for a reverse sweep, but misses it out completely to hit the pad.

A touch fuller, on off. Dasun Shanaka taps it with soft hands to cover and gets a single to bring Udara to strike.

Last 5 overs to go. Sri Lanka are well-placed for a finish around or above 180 or even 200 if one of these two bats till the end. Shadab Khan (2-0-24-0), who has been really expensive tonight, will bowl his third over.

FOUR! Brilliant batsmanship from Udara! Razaullah bangs it a tad shorter and on top of middle, Lahiru Udara creates room by moving leg side and cuts it over backward point for a boundary. Lahiru Udara gallops to 74 in just 44 balls.

Beaten! Back of a length, wide outside off, extra bounce. Udara swings his bat across the line, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

A bit untidy from Nafay there! A length ball well outside off, Shanaka wants nothing to do with it. Nafay, though, seems to switch off for a moment behind the stumps. The ball pops out of his gloves and trickles away to short third. The batters pinch a bye.

Short of a length and outside off. Udara backs away again for room and slashes hard, gets an outside edge which sails on the bounce and down to deep third for a single.

FOUR BYES! Oh, dear! That has flown away. Razaullah drags it too short, banging it into the pitch around leg stump. Udara gives himself room by backing away and goes for the uppercut, but he swings and misses. The ball sails over the keeper’s head and races away to the fence behind.

It looks like the ball is not retrievable from the crowd. The fourth umpire brings out the replacement and hands it over to the on-field umpire, who tosses it to Razaullah. Good to resume.

SIX! That's gone a mile! Good length around middle and leg, Udara shuffles across his stumps and picks it up with a contemptuous flick. The ball sails over the long leg fence and into the stands.

Razaullah (1-0-10-0) returns into the attack.

SIX! But full marks for the effort in the deep! Short of a length around middle stump, a googly at 90.9 kph. Shanaka rocks back and pulls it flat and hard through the on side. Hasan Nawaz is stationed at deep mid-wicket right on the edge of the rope, and he holds the catch, but his momentum is carrying him over the boundary. He lobs the ball up, steps beyond the rope, scrambles back in and dives full length, but he cannot get there in time as the replay shows that he is in contact with the ropes while holding the ball.

PUT DOWN! Shadab drops a tough chance. That was travelling. Length delivery around off stump, and Udara swings it off the toe end, straight back at the bowler. Shadab gets both hands to it but cannot hold on, and the ball loops off his palms towards cover for a single.

Skiddy delivery, on a length, on off. Udara stabs it off the back foot to covers.

The conventional leg break, short on off. Shanaka cuts it to the right of backward point. Saim dives and makes a fine stop and keeps the batters to a single only.

A smidge short on middle, Lahiru Udara drags it across with a pull shot to deep square leg for a single.

Onto the pads, short in length. Dasun turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Sensible batting by Shanaka.

FOUR! Udara keeps marching on! Abrar shortens the length this time, in front of the stumps. Lahiru Udara gives himself room by backing away and punches it crisply through the extra cover and mid off gap for a boundary.

The carrom ball, full on the stumps, Dasun Shanaka eases it through cover-point for a single.

Full, spinning in a touch, Dasun Shanaka clips it to square leg.

Full on the stumps, quicker too, tapped off the front foot into the leg side.

100 up for Sri Lanka! Length ball around off at 86.5 kph. Udara drops down on one knee, and scoops it fine, over the keeper’s head and towards the long stop fence. The man at short third chases it down and cuts it off before the rope, and they settle for three.

FOUR! Nicely done! Full and quick, on the leg stump line. Lahiru Udara gets low on his knee and firmly nails the sweep to the left of short fine leg for a boundary.

Abrar Ahmed is back on.

On the stumps, and full, blocked watchfully off the front foot by Dasun.

FIFTY FOR LAHIRU UDARA! It takes him 32 balls to bring up his maiden T20I half-century, and he gets there with a single. A length ball around off, Udara stays back and cuts it to deep point to complete the job. It has been a superb knock, with the spinners singled out for special treatment. This is a big moment for him, having pulled his side out of a tight spot, and he will want to bat on till the end.

PUT DOWN! Full and flat, outside off, Lahiru tries to power it down the ground, but mistimes it off the toe end. It goes flat and low towards the bowler. Saim Ayub crouches low to pluck it but the ball just pops in and out of his grasp and splashes away to cover.

Shorter than a length, on the leg stump. Dasun gently nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Pitched a tad shorter, on leg, Udara hangs back and nudges it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Well-executed! Full and flat, on off, Lahiru Udara switches his stance while going low on his back knee and nails the reverse sweep, over backward point for a boundary. Udara moves to 48 off just 29.

Change? Nope. Saim Ayub continues.

Excellent spell from Imran on his T20I debut. He ends with figures reading 2/21 in 4 overs. Bowls a length-delivery that shapes in on top of off, Dasun Shanaka gets right behind the line and bunts it down the pitch.

Attacks the stumps, full in length. Lahiru flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Length ball, on middle and leg. Shanaka again misses steering it across. They get a leg bye as the ball rolls off the thigh pad towards square leg.

Good length, angling into the pads, Udara misses the glance as the ball deflects off his front pad towards short fine leg for a leg bye.

Swings in a touch, full on middle, Dasun clips it to deep square leg for a single.

A short stay for Sahan and Sri Lanka slip from 78/2 to 83/4. Dasun Shanaka is in at number 6.

OUT! FANTASTIC CATCH! Imran has two to his name and he is pumped up. Good length, curving away from off stump with extra lift from over the wicket. Arachchige rises on his toes to meet it and goes for the cut, but the bounce beats him and he cannot get the elevation. It sails flatly to backward point, and Shadab Khan pouches it with both hands, diving to his left and fingers pointing to the sky.

Halfway through the first innings. It's pretty balanced right now. But Pakistan will feel they have a slight edge. Mohammad Imran (3-0-19-1) is brought back to bowl out, replacing Abrar Ahmed.

FOUR! Up and over! Pitches it up, around the leg stump. Lahiru Udara gets down on one knee and sweeps it late, over the short fine leg fielder for four runs.

Angling in, fuller one, on middle. Sahan Arachchige works it to long on for one.

Drinks Break! Pakistan will be hugely relieved to get a breakthrough via Saim Ayub. The partnership between Udara and Kamindu Mendis was just beginning to throttle at full pace but he broke that 60-run stand when the hosts needed it most. The Sri Lankan middle order now has to step up if the tourists are to post anything beyond 170, which would be a good total on this decent batting surface. In walks Sahan Arachchige at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT! Saim breaks a budding 60-run stand. Flighted delivery, just outside the off pole, turning away slightly and enticing the attack. Mendis sinks to one knee to drag a slog-sweep across the line, but miscues it pretty badly. He can only manage a towering top-edge into the deep. Fakhar Zaman strolls in from the long off boundary, gets comfortably beneath the drop, and secures the catch cleanly. Sound, unhurried fielding in the deep.

Short, on middle, Lahiru Udara pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short of a length around middle and leg. Udara rocks back and knocks it to the right of long on for a couple of quick runs.

On a nagging length, on middle, Lahiru Udara flicks it to deep mid-wicket and gets a couple due to a misfield by the fielding in the region.

Bowler number 6 and spinner number 3 for Pakistan. Saim Ayub has been given the ball now. He replaces Shadab Khan.

Flatter and a bit fuller, on leg. Udara gently taps it through mid on for a single.

Short, around middle, Kamindu Mendis works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Exceptional from Mendis! He is looking top-notch from the moment he stepped on the crease. Flighted and a bit fuller, around the toes of the batter. Kamindu Mendis stays low and reverse sweeps it between backward point and short third for a boundary. This brings up the 50-run partnership between Kamindu and Udara.

Flatter and fuller. Kamindu Mendis charges down the track and ends up yorking himself. However, he does well to jam it back to the bowler.

Pitches it up, on middle, Lahiru Udara pushes it to long on for a single.

Fuller, on middle, Lahiru Udara pats it to cover. There's a bit of confusion between the batters, as Mendis sets off early to take a single, but Udara rejects the call, and rightfully so.

Runs are coming at a good clip now for the Sri Lankans. 32 runs in the last 3 overs have given them the momentum, and we are already seeing the use of towels to keep the ball dry. Signs of dew starting to form out there.

Fuller, on middle, Lahiru Udara nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

Excellent running between the sticks! Tossed up, fuller, outside off. Lahiru Udara slog sweeps it to wide of long on and gets a brace.

FOUR! Oh, what a shot that is! A touch fuller, around off. Lahiru Udara gets down on one knee and sweeps it firmly into the gap, between deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary.

Risky running! Short of a good length outside off. Udara gets on the back foot and cuts smartly to the left of deep point to collect two runs. Razaullah collects and releases a swift throw to the keeper's end. Nafay prepares for the dismissal but spills the ball, dislodging the bails purely with his gloves.

FOUR! What a gorgeous stroke! Pitched full and on middle, Lahiru Udara makes room and goes inside out over extra cover for a beautifully-timed boundary.

Fuller, on middle, Kamindu Mendis skips down the track and flicks it to long on for one.

Spin from both ends now. Shadab Khan is brought into the attack, replacing Mohammad Imran.

Drags his length back, does Abrar, around off, Lahiru Udara works it across with soft hands toward sqaure leg and gets a brace.

Wrong'un now, from Abrar Ahmed, shorter length yet again. Lahiru Udara stays on his back foot and pulls it to the right of long on for a comfortable double. 50 up for Sri Lanka! In 6.5 overs.

Tossed up, around off, Kamindu Mendis nudges it to long on for a single.

A touch fuller, around middle and off. Kamindu Mendis does pretty well to connect the reverse sweep, but finds the backward point fielder.

Short of a length, on middle and leg. Lahiru Udara miscues his pull to long on for a single.

Fullish, just outside off, Kamindu Mendis drives it to long off for one.

A Powerplay of two halves, really. Just 16/1 in the first three overs, followed by 29/1 in the next three. Sri Lanka have found some rhythm through Kamindu and Udara, but the bowling has largely been spotless from the Pakistani pace trio. Time for spin as the field spreads. Here's Abrar Ahmed into the attack.

A slightly slower one, on the back of a good length, around leg. Kamindu Mendis misses his flick and wears high up on the pad. The ball drops dead on the track and the batters gets across for a leg bye.

FOUR! Pure placement from Mendis! Just a shade behind the good length, slanting away from the batter. Kamindu Mendis opens the face of the bat and steers it beautifully through cover-point for four runs.

FOUR! Edged and over! Once again, it's the pace and bounce from Imran, pitching it hard on the good length, outside off. Kamindu Mendis attempts to hit it across the line, but gets nicked on the top edge and it loops over short third for four runs.

Nails a yorker, on middle, Lahiru Udara squeezes it to deep square leg and gets a single.

Hits the deck hard, does Imran, over off. Kamindu Mendis pats it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, angling away from the left-hander. Kamindu Mendis rocks back and looks to lash it over cover, but gets beaten on the outside edge due to some extra bounce off the deck.

So 10 runs from Razaullah's first over in Pakistan's colors. But he shouldn't be disappointed as he bowled with good pace and got decent bounce. Just needs to bowl in good areas consistently. Mohammad Imran will wrap up the Powerplay.

FOUR! Expertly played by Udara! Fuller ball, on the stumps, Lahiru Udara backs away to give himself some room. He uses the pace and slices it over backward point for a boundary.

Big swing and a miss! Over 145 kph, full and swinging away, outside off. Lahiru Udara does not move his feet at all and tries to smack it over covers, but gets beaten comprehensively.

Fuller than a length, curving away from the batter. Udara mistimes the drive off the inner half of the bat. It rolls down to mid on.

WIDE! Too straight down leg, on a good length. Udara tries to tickle it behind but misses.

FOUR! Absolutely belted away! Full and speared in on middle. Lahiru Udara backs away to create room, exposes all the stumps and smashes it through the cover and mid off gap for a cracking boundary.

Pushed outside off, slightly fuller, Mendis drives it through cover-point for a single.

Right on the money! Hits the back of a length, and gets the ball to swing back into the batter, on top of off. Kamindu tries to punch it through cover, but the ball sneaks between the yawning bat and pad gap.

Time for another debutant to roll his arm over. A loud cheer from the Rawalpindi crowd as they welcome Razaullah into the attack. He replaces Naseem Shah. One slip in place.

Pitched short and moving across the batter with some bounce. Kamindu Mendis is pegged back and tries to block it down the pitch but gets a fat outside edge. The ball flies wide of the short third fielder and they take a single.

FOUR! First genuine shot off the middle of the bat! On a length, nipping away sharply. Kamindu Mendis gets the timing spot on and pings a square cut through backward point and cover-point for a crisp boundary.

Beauty! Hammers it on a length, angling it across the batter. Kamindu Mendis gets squared up to defend, but just manages to withdraw his bat inside the line to leave.

WIDE! Banged short and goes over the head of the batter. Mendis lets it through.

The Islanders are in a bit of bother now. Kamindu Mendis walks in at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT! Kamil Mishara was swinging the bat like a rusty gate. But his struggles come to an end. On a back of a length, around off, Kamil Mishara stays put and looks to pull it across the line but only manages a thick leading edge that flies up the chimney, over mid off. Fakhar Zaman lurks under it and takes a fine catch. And Imran has his first T20I wicket. Sri Lanka are 18/2, in 3.3 overs.

Back of a length, climbing on the batter, jagging back. Lahiru miscues the pull shot off the splice and it goes on a couple of bounces to mid on for a single.

Good length around the off stump, swinging away across the batter. Mishara swings across the line and gets a leading edge, and the ball lobs towards widish deep backward point on the bounce for a single.

Pitched outside leg on a length, Kamil Mishara hangs back and whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller and outside off, Kamil Mishara drives it crisply off the front foot, but finds the fielder at cover-point.

FOUR! Not convincing, but that will ease his nerves massively! Slightly back of a length, on leg, Kamil Mishara heaves it off the inner half of the bat but gets it over mid-wicket for a boundary to get off the mark after nine balls.

Nips back in this time around, on a good length. Mishara is cramped for space, tries to work it across but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad.

Beaten! Pushed wide outside off, on a fuller length, Mishara throws the bat at it to slap it to the cover region but gets beaten all ends up. He is yet to get off the mark and looks pretty restless.

Holds up on the surface, full on middle and leg. Lahiru Udara looks to flick but he is perhaps a fraction early on the shot and chips it on the bounce and wide of mid-wicket. One run taken.

Off the middle, but straight to the fielder. Five dots on the bounce and that's a handsome start for the debutant Imran. On a length, shaping away, Mishara prods forward and cracks it but fails to pierce the cover gap.

Play and a miss again! Angles it across the batter, on a length, wide outside off. Kamil, this time, tries to whack it across the line, trying to access the leg side, but misses to connect as the ball keeps leaving him.

And again! Back of a length, curving away late, outside off. Kamil Mishara tries to flay it behind point but gets beaten on the outside edge once more. Good swing and carry for Imran.

Swing and a miss! Good-length delivery, swinging away, outside off. Kamil Mishara tries to cut it square on the off side, but the ball zips over his angled bat.

Shapes away, on a good length, around off. Mishara hangs back and taps it with soft hands to backward point.

Shapes into the right-hander, full on middle, Lahiru Udara whips it to deep fine leg for a single.

A very profitable opening over for Naseem and Pakistan. Shah was a bit wayward at first, but found his mojo quickly. Mohammad Imran, the debutant, will operate from the other end. One slip in place.

Fuller and ouside off, Mishara goes for a cover drive but the ball squirts behind to the keeper off the bottom edge.

Early breakthrough for Pakistan and it's a massive one. Kamil Mishara is in at number 3.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Naseem dismisses the Sri Lankan captain and is beaming with a broad smile. Naseem gets a fair bit of outswing, on a fuller length, wide outside off. Kusal chases the outgoing delivery and flashes hard at it, only manages a thick outside edge and the ball flies straight towards deep third. Mohammad Imran stationed there, bends a bit low and takes a fine catch. Sri Lanka are 9/1 in 0.5 overs.

Slightly fuller and on the stumps, Lahiru Udara tucks it wide of the mid on fielder for a quick single.

Outswinger on a fuller length, around off. Udara confidently drives it but straight to cover.

A bit too straight onto the pads, on a fuller length. Kusal Mendis whips it wide of deep backward square leg for a single and gets off the mark.

WIDE! Far too wide outside off, on a length. Mendis leaves as the ball breaches the tramline.

FIVE WIDES! Oh dear! That's gone horribly wrong for Naseem. Swings down the leg side on a shorter length. Kusal lets it through and the ball stays out of the reach of the diving keeper, Khawaja Nafay, and races to the deep fine leg fence.

Swing straightaway! Full and outside off, shaping away, Udara, with barely any footwork tries to drive it to cover, but gets it chipped wide of backward point for a single. Sri Lanka and Udara are off the mark.

Done with the anthems, and it is time to get the series underway in Rawalpindi. The umpires and players have made their way out with the Pakistani players taking their respective fielding spots. Naseem Shah has the new ball and is raring to go. Kusal Mendis and Lahiru Udara are the two Sri Lankan openers walking to the crease. A couple of slips in place and it is Udara on strike. Here we go...

It's time for the national anthems. Both groups, led by their respective captains, make their way out to get lined up. It will be Sri Lanka's national anthem first, followed by Pakistan's.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan (C), Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Khawaja Nafay (WK), Mohammad Imran (On T20I debut), Razaullah (On T20I debut), Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Kusal Mendis (C), Lahiru Udara (WK), Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga.

TOSS - It's time for the coin to go up in Rawalpindi. Both captains - Sahibzada Farhan and Kusal Mendis - are out in the middle. The coin flip lands in favor of Mendis and Sri Lanka have elected to BAT first.

The Islanders in a transitional phase - Sri Lanka are back in Pakistan for a T20I series for the first time since 2019, and they will not mind revisiting that memory. They swept the hosts 3-0 on that trip, which remains their only T20I series win over Pakistan to date. The latest meeting came on Lankan soil this January, and it ended all square at 1-1. However, life away from home has been far less kind to them this year. A 2-1 defeat in the West Indies was followed by a 3-0 hammering in England, so they land in Rawalpindi on a poor run overseas. A largely rebuilt squad under the proven leadership of Kusal Mendis makes this a fresh start of sorts. Let's see who comes up trumps. Toss and teams up next shortly. Stay tuned.

Men in Green look for a rebuild - This is only Pakistan's second home T20I series of the year, after they blanked Australia 3-0 in January. The ride since has been anything but smooth. A forgettable T20 World Cup was followed by a silver medal at the Asian Games, a result that felt more like a pat on the back than a triumph. Sahibzada Farhan now holds the captaincy, and Pakistan are expected to hand opportunities to the standout performers from those Games. They will also use the series to give a few new faces a proper look in home conditions, and it marks the return of a couple of familiar names too.

Chapter 1 of 3 - Hello and welcome, everyone. A brand new series gets underway as Rawalpindi plays an exclusive host to all three T20Is, with Pakistan locking horns with Sri Lanka in the series opener. Neither side sits in the top half of the ICC rankings. Pakistan is placed 6th while Sri Lanka languish at 9th. The next T20 World Cup is still a couple of years down the road, so think of this as a tasty starter on the menu, a chance for both camps to start piecing together a squad built to last.

... MATCH DAY ...

Battle in the subcontinent - The cricket calendar is not slowing down, and another series is about to join the party. Pakistan welcome Sri Lanka for a multi-format contest that opens with three T20Is, all staged in Rawalpindi, before two Tests arrive in November. Squeezed in between is a high-octane ODI tri-series, with England landing in the mix alongside the two hosts of the bilateral. Reset for two wounded teams - Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka return from a very underwhelming showing at the Asian Games in Nisshin. Though, point to be noted, they weren't at full strength there, sending their sides filled with several rookies to be tested. For Pakistan, it will be the first time they will feature in a T20I series since the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are no strangers to these conditions. This is their second visit to Pakistan in the space of a year. They lost a bilateral ODI series 3-0 on the previous trip, and they also featured in a T20I tri-series alongside Zimbabwe in November 2025. The Sahibzada Era begins - The captain's armband in Pakistan's T20I setup has a new home. Sahibzada Farhan will lead the side in the series against Sri Lanka, stepping in for Salman Ali Agha, who skippered the team at the T20 World Cup and now finds himself out of the squad entirely. Farhan has the resume to back the promotion. He steered Pakistan to silver at the Asian Games and finished as the leading run-getter at the T20 World Cup earlier this year as well. Several members of that Asian Games group have kept their places, with Saim Ayub, Maaz Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz, who smashed a fantastic 96 in the gold-medal match, bolstering the batting. While Fakhar Zaman brings the most experience to the mix. In the bowling department, Naseem Shah is back after a knee injury in the PSL kept him on the sidelines. There is a new face as well, with Razaullah earning his maiden T20I call-up after catching the eye on his Test debut in England, where he impressed with both his pace and his batting. The spin department is led by Shadab Khan, with Abrar Ahmed, Sofyan Moqim, and Saim Ayub's part-time offies in support. Rookies take the responsibility - Sri Lanka have shuffled the deck in their T20I squad. Kusal Mendis is back after a hamstring injury kept him out of the England tour, and he takes the captaincy back from Charith Asalanka, who drops out of the group. The injury list has not been kind, though, with Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga both sidelined, which thins out the batting and bowling alike. The pace department has seen a role reversal too. Binura Fernando, who missed the England T20Is with a back problem, returns to the fold, and Dilshan Madushanka, who stepped in for him then, makes way. Chamindu Wickramasinghe is also roped in, making his T20I comeback after nearly a year. Whereas the squad has fresh spin options too, with Vijayakanth Viyaskanth getting the nod. Dushmantha Chameera is named as well, but his place is not yet locked in, since the pace spearhead must first prove his fitness before he can take the field. Sahan Arachchige earns his place after a productive LPL season in which he piled up 240 runs, and he will add strength to the middle order. His T20I story is an unusual one, since all of his outings so far have come at the Asian Games. Sineth Jayawardena, meanwhile, receives a T20I call-up, a bold nod to a talented young batter. With several fresh faces in the mix, Sri Lanka head to Rawalpindi with more questions than answers. But for the youngsters, there is no better stage to announce themselves. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - PAK - LWWLW | SL - WLLLL. What to expect? The two sides last met in a T20I series just under a year ago in Rawalpindi, and the hosts came out on top back then, sealing it 2-1. The statistical breakdown reveals a remarkably balanced bowling dynamic, with 77 wickets falling to spin and 84 to pace. This near-even distribution underscores a tactical equilibrium, suggesting that success will hinge more on adaptability and execution.