By Staff Reporter
LAHORE: Pakistan will welcome Sri Lanka for a three-match One Day International (ODI) series in Rawalpindi from November 11 to 15, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday, marking the island nation’s first bilateral ODI tour of the country since 2019.
The PCB also confirmed that Pakistan will host Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for a maiden T20 International (T20I) tri-series from November 17 to 29 in Lahore and Rawalpindi, adding to an already packed home season for the Green Shirts.
In a press release, the PCB noted that Sri Lanka’s last bilateral ODI series in Pakistan occurred in 2019, when Pakistan secured a 2-0 victory in a three-match contest, with the opening game in Karachi abandoned due to rain. “Sri Lanka’s most recent visit to Pakistan came in 2023, when they participated in the ACC Asia Cup and played against Afghanistan in Lahore,” the statement read.
The upcoming ODI series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will see the two sides renew their rivalry in the 50-over format. Their most recent ODI encounter was during the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, where Pakistan clinched a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka.
The tri-series, featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, will mark the first time Pakistan hosts such a T20I event. Matches will be played in Lahore and Rawalpindi, with the latter venue having also staged games during the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy earlier this year.
Pakistan’s home season is shaping up to be a busy one. The PCB confirmed that South Africa will tour from October 12 to November 8 for two ICC World Test Championship matches and six white-ball games. The ODI series against Sri Lanka and the T20I tri-series will follow, offering Pakistan valuable preparation ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
International cricket in Pakistan has seen a steady revival since a 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore severely disrupted the sport in the country. For years, Pakistan were forced to play their “home” matches at neutral venues, primarily in the United Arab Emirates. The gradual return of international cricket began in 2017 with a three-match T20I series against an ICC World XI.
Earlier this year, Pakistan successfully hosted the ICC Champions Trophy in February and March, the first ICC event held in the country since 1996, though India played their matches in Dubai due to political tensions.
Pakistan’s recent form includes a tri-series victory over Afghanistan and the UAE, boosting their confidence as they head into the eight-team Asia Cup in the UAE, starting September 9. The upcoming home fixtures, coupled with the continental tournament, provide Pakistan’s team management with an opportunity to fine-tune their squad for next year’s global T20 event.
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a key venue for both the ODI series and the tri-series, has become a focal point for Pakistan’s cricketing resurgence, having hosted high-profile matches during the Champions Trophy earlier this year.
With a busy schedule ahead, Pakistan’s cricket fans are set for a thrilling period of international action on home soil, as the nation continues to re-establish itself as a safe and vibrant host for global cricket.
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