Rawalpindi to host Pakistan-Sri Lanka tri-series opener on Sunday

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will begin its ODI tri-series campaign against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, with England joining the two sides in the seven-match tournament running from October 18 to 31.

The series features Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka, with all three teams set to play each other twice in the league stage. The top two sides will qualify for the final, scheduled to be held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on October 31.

Pakistan will be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi in the ODI tri-series, with head coach Mike Hesson overseeing the team’s preparations. The hosts will face Sri Lanka in their opening match on October 18 before taking on England on October 20.

Sri Lanka will be captained by Kusal Mendis in the tri-series and will open its campaign against Pakistan on October 18 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The team will face England on October 22 in its second match of the league stage.

England, led by Harry Brook, arrived in Islamabad on Friday and is scheduled to train at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday ahead of its opening match against Pakistan on October 20. Pakistan, captained by Shaheen Shah Afridi, has already started preparations under head coach Mike Hesson, while Sri Lanka will be led by Kusal Mendis.

The opening three matches will be played in Rawalpindi before the tournament moves to Lahore for the remaining league fixtures and the final. All matches are scheduled as day-night ODIs, starting at 1pm Pakistan Standard Time.

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The tournament will also provide the three teams with an opportunity to prepare for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

Pakistan-Sri Lanka-England ODI tri-series 2026 full schedule