Rawalpindi, rather than Lahore, will now stage the entire triangular T20I series after last week’s blast in Islamabad prompted a rethink on security. For Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe the tournament is less about silverware and more about ironing out creases before the Men’s T20 World Cup in February.
Big picture – sharpening before the main event
Two-and-a-half months out from the World Cup, coaching staffs are looking for clarity. Squads need locking in, combinations need testing, and individuals have to rediscover – or hold on to – form.
Pakistan arrive in the most settled state. They have won 17 and lost 12 T20Is this calendar year, reached the Asia Cup final and edged South Africa 2-1 away. Captain Salman Agha has leaned on a simple plan: bowl first, squeeze hard, then chase without panic. “Our strength lies in the new-ball spell,” he said in Karachi last week. “If we hit our lengths early, most games open up for us.”
Babar Azam’s recent 103 against South Africa – his first international hundred since 2023 – hinted that the old fluency is returning. Pakistan’s only real question is whether to keep two specialist spinners or add an extra seamer for February’s Caribbean pitches.
Sri Lanka’s riddle feels the opposite: they still do not know their best XI. Pathum Nissanka papers over some of the batting cracks when he gets past the Powerplay, yet reliable support has been sporadic. Charith Asalanka’s late withdrawal through illness means Dasun Shanaka captains, almost by default. Chairman of selectors Pramodya Wickramasinghe explained: “Charith’s indisposed, so we’ve gone back to the senior man who finishes games for us.” Wanindu Hasaranga, nursing the thigh strain that kept him out of the third ODI, is listed in the squad and is expected to play once cleared. His all-round value, especially with the bat at No. 7, feels non-negotiable in home conditions.
Zimbabwe already ticked their biggest 2025 objective by winning the Africa qualifier, stringing together five victories in Harare and beating Namibia in the final. That run guaranteed a World Cup berth, something they missed in 2024. Since then, however, Afghanistan have handed them a 3-0 bruising, and tougher assignments now await. Coach Stuart Matsikenyeri is realistic: “The margin for error shrinks against sides ranked above us. We have to be braver up front and smarter at the death.”
They can cling to a small psychological edge: Sri Lanka were beaten in Bulawayo in September, when Sikandar Raza’s cameo and Tendai Chatara’s yorkers sealed a surprise win.
Form guide
Pakistan WWLLW
Sri Lanka LLLWW
Zimbabwe LLLWW
Players to watch
Babar Azam – the hundred in Johannesburg looked more like the Babar of old, all elegant wrists and late cuts. Pakistan will hope the rhythm remains.
Pathum Nissanka – when Nissanka clears the ring early, Sri Lanka’s totals tend to look respectable. If he falls inside the Powerplay, long evenings usually follow.
Bryan Bennett – the 21-year-old quick clocks mid-140s kph and angles it in from wide of the crease. Zimbabwe like his willingness to attack the stumps even when clubbed for a boundary.
Team news (expected)
Pakistan (probable): Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha (capt), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka (probable): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha.
Zimbabwe (probable): Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wesley Madhevere, Craig Ervine (capt), Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wk), Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, Bryan Bennett.
Pitch and conditions
Rawalpindi in November is mild – mid-20s during the afternoon, dipping under lights. The surface usually has decent pace early on but can grip for spinners later. Dew is rarely a factor before December, so the toss may not dictate tactics as heavily as usual.
Stats and nuggets
• Pakistan have chased successfully in nine of their last 11 T20Is at home.
• Sri Lanka’s Powerplay run-rate in 2025 sits at 7.1, the second-lowest among World Cup teams.
• Sikandar Raza requires 61 runs to become the first Zimbabwean to 2000 T20I runs.
What they said
“Every time you pull on a Pakistan shirt the expectations climb. But that pressure is a privilege,” Shaheen Afridi offered, mindful of the upcoming showpiece.
Shanaka kept it simple: “We have to win more small moments. That’s the difference between us and the top four sides.”
Raza, never shy, summed up Zimbabwe’s mood: “We no longer want moral victories; we want points on the board.”
The cricket is set; the World Cup timer keeps ticking. Rawalpindi might not hand out definitive answers, yet it should reveal which team is closest to the finished article – and which still has hard work ahead.
