Pakistan will host Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for a seven-match T20I tri-series from 17 to 29 November, with Rawalpindi staging the opening two fixtures and Lahore taking the remaining five, including the final.
The format is straightforward: each side meets the others twice, the top two then contesting the final on 29 November. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials see it as ideal build-up for next year’s T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan’s group matches pencilled in for Sri Lankan venues.
Fixture list
17 Nov – Pakistan v Afghanistan, Rawalpindi
19 Nov – Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Rawalpindi
22 Nov – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Lahore
23 Nov – Pakistan v Afghanistan, Lahore
25 Nov – Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Lahore
27 Nov – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Lahore
29 Nov – Final, Lahore
Why a tri-series – again?
For the second time this season, what was planned as a bilateral series in Pakistan has morphed into a three-team event. Afghanistan had originally agreed a three-match T20I contest in August before the United Arab Emirates joined to create a mini-tournament that concludes later today. Sri Lanka were likewise due for three ODIs and three T20Is; the 50-over leg is still expected, but the T20Is have been folded into the November tri-series.
Afghanistan’s first matches against Pakistan in Pakistan
Afghanistan have played competitive cricket in Pakistan before – notably during the 2023 Asia Cup and this year’s Champions Trophy – yet they did not meet the hosts on those occasions. November will therefore mark the first time Pakistan and Afghanistan share a field in Pakistan, a small sporting milestone during a period of strained diplomatic relations.
Heavy T20 emphasis ahead of the World Cup
The tri-series starts just nine days after South Africa finish their all-format tour. Pakistan’s coaching group want as much short-format cricket as possible before heading to the World Cup. Local selectors view the November window as a chance to test bench strength and experiment with combinations in familiar conditions.
Official word
“We look forward to hosting Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for Pakistan’s maiden T20I tri-series, PCB COO Sumair Ahmed said in a statement on the PCB website. “This event will not only offer excellent preparation for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, but also present fans with exciting cricket across venues.”
Sri Lanka Cricket and the Afghanistan Cricket Board are expected to confirm squads in mid-October, once domestic commitments and fitness assessments are complete. Both travelling teams are likely to arrive in Pakistan a week early for warm-up sessions at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
Security and logistics
Security protocols remain tight but routine; PCB officials say the template used for recent international tours will be followed. Ticketing details and broadcasting rights are to be announced later this month.
With all three sides keen on fine-tuning before the global event, November’s matches promise competitive cricket without the frills – an opportunity for players to settle roles and for coaching staffs to make final notes before attention shifts to the World Cup proper.
