SL vs PAK 1st T20 Match Preview – The cricket world turns its attention to the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium as Sri Lanka hosts Pakistan in the opening fixture of their 2026 T20I series. Both teams are entering a transition phase with new leadership and fresh faces in their squads, making this series opener a crucial litmus test for their future strategies.
SL vs PAK Match Details
| Feature | Details |
| Match | Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st T20I |
| Series | Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka, 2026 |
| Date | January 07, 2026 |
| Time | 07:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium |
| Live Telecast | FanCode, Sony Sports Network |
SL vs PAK Series Preview
Pakistan enters this series under the captaincy of Salman Agha, looking to find a stable combination following a period of experimentation. The squad features explosive young talents like Saim Ayub and Khawaja Nafay, balanced by the experience of Fakhar Zaman and a potent pace attack led by Naseem Shah.
Sri Lanka, playing in front of their home crowd, continues to rely on the leadership of Dasun Shanaka. Their strength lies in their world-class spin department, featuring Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, who are expected to exploit the local conditions. The batting looks robust with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis at the top.
SL vs PAK Pitch and Weather Report
Pitch Report
The Dambulla surface is traditionally known to be sporting, offering something for everyone.
Early Overs: Expect some movement for the seamers under the lights.
Middle Overs: The pitch tends to slow down, allowing spinners to grip and turn the ball.
Batting: While not a pure highway, batsmen who get set can score heavily. A par score is expected to be around 165-175.
Weather Report
The forecast for January 7 in Dambulla is generally clear.
Temperature: Expected to hover around 24°C to 26°C.
Humidity: Likely to be high (approx. 80%), which could introduce dew in the second innings, making it harder for bowlers to grip the ball.
Rain: Minimal chance of precipitation.
SL vs PAK Head-to-Head (T20Is)
Pakistan has historically held the upper hand in this rivalry, but Sri Lanka has been dominant in recent home encounters.
| Total Matches | Pakistan Won | Sri Lanka Won | No Result |
| 23 | 14 | 9 | 0 |
SL vs PAK Probable Playing XI
Pakistan (PAK): Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (wk), Salman Agha (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka (SL): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera.
SL vs PAK Match Prediction
This is expected to be a tightly contested affair. While Pakistan possesses a more balanced pace attack, Sri Lanka’s familiarity with the Dambulla track and their superior spin trio gives them a slight edge. High humidity and potential dew will make the toss crucial—the captain winning the toss will likely choose to bowl first.
Favorite: Sri Lanka (due to home advantage and spin depth).
SL vs PAK Squads
Pakistan Squad: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Abdul Samad, Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan(wk), Salman Agha(c), Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq, Sahibzada Farhan, Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(wk), Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Traveen Mathew, Eshan Malinga, Janith Liyanage, Dushmantha Chameera.
