SL vs PAK, 1st T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

Sri Lanka will take on Pakistan in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday, January 7.

Both teams recently faced each other in a T20I tri-series in Pakistan in November 2025, which also included Zimbabwe. Pakistan won the final of that series, while Sri Lanka had mixed results. This series will help both sides prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which starts on February 7.

Pakistan will be without some senior players for this series, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan. This gives young players a good chance to prove themselves. Sri Lanka will look to make full use of home conditions and start the series with a win.

SL vs PAK: Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)

Matches Played: 24
Sri Lanka Won: 10
Pakistan Won: 14
No Result: 0

SL vs PAK: Pitch Report

The pitch in Dambulla usually helps spinners, especially in the second innings. Teams batting first have won six out of nine matches here. The highest first-innings score at this venue is 209, while the lowest is 89. Winning the toss and batting first could be a good option.

SL vs PAK: Predicted Playing XIs

Sri Lanka (SL):

Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana

Pakistan (PAK):

Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad, Salman Mirza