Pakistan eye Sri Lanka tour before T20 World Cup
Pakistan’s cricket team is likely to travel to Sri Lanka in January 2026 as part of its final preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly working on a short three-match T20I series that would help players adapt to the conditions they’ll encounter during the tournament, which Sri Lanka is co-hosting.
According to a report by Cricket Pakistan, discussions between the PCB and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are already underway. Both boards are eager to finalise the series schedule soon, with the games expected to take place in Colombo and Galle. Tentative dates under consideration are January 8, 10, and 12, pending final confirmation.
If approved, the series would serve as Pakistan’s final competitive outing before the T20 World Cup begins in February 2026 — providing the team valuable match practice in subcontinental conditions against a spin-heavy Sri Lankan side.
Potential complications with Big Bash League NOCs
The proposed tour could complicate No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for Pakistani players signed up for the Big Bash League (BBL), which runs from December 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026. With the series dates overlapping the BBL, several players may have to forgo their league commitments depending on PCB’s final decision.
As of now, six Pakistani players are lined up for BBL franchises:
- Babar Azam – Sydney Sixers
- Mohammad Rizwan – Melbourne Renegades
- Shaheen Shah Afridi – Brisbane Heat
- Hasan Ali – Adelaide Strikers
- Haris Rauf – Melbourne Stars
- Shadab Khan – Sydney Thunder
Although Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are currently outside Pakistan’s T20 setup, their potential return — along with the fitness progress of Shadab Khan and the key roles of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf — could influence selection decisions for the Sri Lanka tour.
Broader context and upcoming fixtures
Before the January tour, Sri Lanka are scheduled to visit Pakistan in November 2025 for a bilateral ODI series from November 11–15, followed by a tri-nation series involving Afghanistan from November 17–29. However, due to recent Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions, the tri-series remains uncertain and could be replaced with additional bilateral fixtures between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The PCB had earlier suspended player NOCs for foreign leagues following the Asia Cup, further complicating participation logistics. Ongoing talks between Cricket Australia and PCB officials are expected to determine whether Pakistani players will be allowed to feature in the BBL should the Sri Lanka tour be confirmed.
Key preparation before global event
For Pakistan, the proposed Sri Lanka tour represents a crucial opportunity to fine-tune strategies and combinations before the 2026 T20 World Cup. Sri Lankan conditions — known for their turn and slower surfaces — mirror those expected during the tournament, offering Pakistan an ideal testing ground.
Both boards are optimistic about finalising the agreement soon, with the tour set to mark Pakistan’s final major outing before embarking on their quest for another T20 world title.
