There is a strong possibility that Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka in January 2026, with discussions currently underway between the two cricket boards. If finalized, the series could see Pakistan play three T20 internationals in Colombo on January 8, 10, and 12. However, sources have indicated that the final schedule will be confirmed only after resolving certain pending matters.

This proposed series could further complicate the issue of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for Pakistani players participating in the Big Bash League (BBL). The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had previously suspended players’ NOCs after the Asia Cup, and with a January series on the cards, several players might be forced to miss part of the Australian league.

The BBL is scheduled from December 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026, with seven Pakistani players lined up to participate. Babar Azam is set to play for the Sydney Sixers, Mohammad Rizwan and Hassan Khan for Melbourne Renegades, Shaheen Afridi for Brisbane Heat, Hasan Ali for Adelaide Strikers, Haris Rauf for Melbourne Stars, and Shadab Khan for Sydney Thunder. While Babar and Rizwan are currently not in Pakistan’s T20I setup, both could make a return ahead of the T20 World Cup. Shadab, who is recovering from injury, and Shaheen remain key figures in the national side.

ALSO SEE: BCCI commits major error, confuses Sarfaraz Khan with his brother Musheer Khan

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s immediate focus remains on their upcoming home season. They are set to host Sri Lanka for three ODIs from November 11 to 15, followed by a proposed T20 tri-series from November 17 to 29 involving Afghanistan. However, with tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalating, the latter’s participation is now uncertain, and PCB may need to find a replacement team.

The January tour will also serve as crucial preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which Sri Lanka will co-host. For Pakistan, the series could provide an ideal opportunity to acclimatize to local conditions ahead of the mega event.

BCCI is trying to push for the removal of ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, and there are reports that the Board has proposed a deal with the Sri Lanka board. This deal is to send retired cricket stars to participate in the 2025 Lanka Premier League.

India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup final; however, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side refused to receive the winner's trophy from the ACC Chief, Mohsin Naqvi, as he also holds a position in Pakistan's internal ministry and heads the PCB.

Following this, the controversy further escalated, with Naqvi too taking it personally, as he too vented out his frustration on the Indian team and the BCCI, taking the trophy away and forcing India to take it only from the ACC headquarters. The BCCI, after the move, has vowed to take action against the ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi; they had also threatened to dethrone him from the position of chairperson of the Asian Cricket Council.

Reports Reveal BCCI’s Plan and PCB’s Response

"BCCI is trying to push Chairman ACC Mohsin Naqvi down in the Asian Cricket Council," claimed reports from Pakistani reporter Abubakar Bin Tallat. "Their plan? Offering Sri Lanka’s board a deal: send India’s recently retired cricket stars (think big names!) to play in the 2025 Lanka Premier League," the reports from the abovementioned source also revealed.

"But PCB will not be backing down, and Naqvi is ready to stand strong and protect the influence in Asian cricket," the reporter added. Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council chief, was reported to be honoured by his country's government for his stance against India in the Asia Cup final. While the actions following the Asia Cup final in Dubai were criticised by several cricket boards around the globe, it seems a matter of pride for Pakistan.

🚨🚨 Breaking Update: BCCI is trying to push Chairman ACC Mohsin Naqvi down in the Asian Cricket Council. Their plan? Offering Sri Lanka’s board a deal: send India’s recently retired cricket stars (think big names!) to play in the 2025 Lanka Premier League. But PCB will not be… pic.twitter.com/lcHliefU7O

— Abubakar Bin Tallat (@AbubakarAbbasii) October 7, 2025

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As per the reports, the award ceremony would include Naqvi being honoured with a gold medal, while PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was invited as the chief guest, though the date has not been finalised yet.

The 6th edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) is returning later this year. After being suspended in July, the league will now take place from December 1 to 23, 2025. This will be the first time the LPL has taken place in the December window, giving fans more cricket to enjoy during the festive period. .

According to a report from IANS, the upcoming edition will feature a total of 24 matches, comprising 20 league fixtures and 4 knockout games, hosted across three premier venues – R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, and Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla. The report also added that Indian cricketers are also set to feature in the Lanka Premier League for the first time in history. "For the very first time, Indian cricketers are expected to join the action; their names will be revealed soon, adding a whole new level of excitement for fans across the region," a press release said.

It is likely that R Ashwin, Dinesh Karthik, and also the likes of Piyush Chawla will register their name for the LPL. Although, it is worth noting that in the past, Irfan Pathan has played in Sri Lanka's premier T20 league. “The timing of this edition has been carefully chosen to ensure that players gain maximum exposure and high-quality match practice in the lead-up to a global cricketing year. Over the seasons, the LPL has emerged as a breeding ground for fresh talent, with several youngsters making their mark alongside international stars. This year too, we believe the league will throw up exciting new names who can go on to spring surprises on the world stage ahead of the World Cup,” Samantha Dodanwela, Tournament Director, LPL, said.

Tournament promises exciting action

LPL Tournament Director Samantha Dodanwela said the timing of this season has been chosen carefully so players can gain good match experience before a busy cricketing year. The LPL has helped many young Sri Lankan players make a name for themselves, and this year’s edition is expected to do the same.

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The 2025 edition will feature five teams, but details about them are yet to be confirmed. Interestingly, the LPL will also clash with the ILT20 and BBL 2025–26, which could make player selection and scheduling quite interesting.

India kept their unbeaten streak alive in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025 with an exciting Super Over triumph against Sri Lanka in Dubai. The game acted as a dead rubber before the final but turned out to be a thriller after Pathum Nissanka’s stunning century nearly spoiled India’s streak. 

India batted first and made 202/5 which is their highest total of the tournament thus far. Abhishek Sharma gave India a blazing start, scoring 61 runs off 31 balls and hitting seven fours and two sixes. Tilak Varma anchored the middle overs with an unbeaten 49 off 34, while Sanju Samson contributed 24. Sri Lanka picked wickets at regular intervals but could not stop India from crossing the 200-run mark comfortably.

Sri Lanka’s chase was led by Nissanka, who scored his maiden T20I century, and Kusal Perera, who added 54 off 27. Together, they stitched a record 127-run partnership and kept Sri Lanka in the game. However, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy slowed the scoring in the middle overs, triggering a mini-collapse. The game went down to the final ball, with three runs needed. Nissanka was dismissed first ball of the last over, and Dasun Shanaka managed only two, tying the match at 202. In the Super Over, Arshdeep Singh bowled superbly, dismissing both Perera and Shanaka for just two runs, allowing India to win off the first ball through Suryakumar Yadav’s three-run strike.

IND vs SL: Who Said What?

Suryakumar Yadav (India Captain):

"It felt like a final (laughs). The boys showed a lot of character after the first half in the second innings. Told them to play this like a semi-final. Get everyone close in, have good energy and then let's see what happens. Good to be on the winning side. To have that start, and then someone like Sanju and Tilak batting that way and taking the tempo ahead from where Abhishek left (cannot say from where I left it)…Sanju not opening, going down the order, taking responsibility and Tilak taking confidence and responsibility, that was good to see. Arshdeep has been in that situation a lot of time and he has delivered for us. I only told him to back your own plans and not to think about anything. We are already in the finals, but have your own plans and execute it. I have seen him execute his plans, do really well for India and his IPL franchise. His confidence says it all and no one but Arshdeep for that Super Over. Let's have a good recovery tonight. Let us not think about that (the final) right now. Few boys had a lot of cramps today. Have a good recovery day tomorrow and we will turn up the same way we did today. What I wanted from the boys, just trying to execute their plans, be clear and not to fear, that was really important and I am sure everyone got what they wanted. Happy to be in the final."

See Also: Asia Cup 2025: India vs Pakistan final to be screened live in 100+ cinemas by PVR Inox

Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka Captain):

"It was a fabulous game and we were in the game until Varun and Kuldeep bowled those middle overs. It was unbelievable batting (from Nissanka), they have some extremely good bowlers and it was really good to see him bat with that attacking approach. Lots of positives from the Asia Cup. We have been playing good cricket and unfortunately we couldn't win in the last 2 games. As a captain, there are a lot of positives to take."

During the final Super 4 match of the 2025 Asia Cup on September 26, India ultimately won against Sri Lanka in a thrilling Super Over after the match ended in a tie. India set a good target after scoring 202/5, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 61 and Tilak Varma scoring 49. Sri Lanka had a fantastic response, as Pathum Nissanka got a phenomenal century (107) and Kusal Perera had a fast 58, to achieve the same score as India and force the first Super Over in the history of the Asia cup. Below are the main reasons for Sri Lanka defeat:

1. Failure to finish in the final overs and Super Over

Sri Lanka was in a very strong position but could not finish. Sri Lanka needed 12 runs in the last over of the main game but only managed 11 runs to tie the match. Their Super Over only netted them 2 runs off of 2 wickets off of the bowling from Arshdeep Singh who sealed the game for India.

2. India’s bowling in the middle overs

After a strong start by Sri Lanka, India’s bowlers, particularly spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, regained control with some economical spells, including key wickets, which strove Sri Lanka’s momentum and made it harder for them to maintain the run chase. 

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3. Arshdeep Singh had a significant Super Over.

 India put its trust into Arshdeep Singh to bowl in the Super Over, and he proved himself under pressure, taking the wickets of Kusal Perera and Dasun Shanaka for only two runs to confirm India's win.

Indian batter Abhishek Sharma continued his sensational form during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against Sri Lanka on Friday. By scoring yet another half-century, Abhishek became the first player in history to score over 300 runs in a single edition of the T20 Asia Cup, surpassing Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, who had 281 runs in 2022.

Virat Kohli and Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran are tied for third on the list with 196 runs. This match also marked Abhishek’s seventh consecutive score of 30 or more in T20Is, equaling the joint record held by Rizwan and India’s Rohit Sharma. The half-century was more special as it's sixth fifty scored in 25 balls, highlighting his explosive batting in the T20 format.

ALSO READ: Haris Rauf and Suryakumar Yadav fined in Asia Cup 2025 clash

The Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025 continues with India (IND) competing against Sri Lanka (SL) in match number 6 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday September 26 at 8:00 PM IST. However, this is a dead rubber with India having qualified for the final and Sri Lanka having been eliminated. 

India qualified for the final following a comfortable 41-run victory against Bangladesh, making it two wins from two matches in the Super Fours with Abhishek Sharma scoring 75 off 37 veritable balls, and with Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel's bowling efforts helping ensure the Men in Blue qualified for the finals in scintillating style. India sits with 4 points and a healthy net run rate, and captain Suryakumar Yadav will use this game to prepare both tactics and combinations for the developed final. 

Sri Lanka will be disappointed with their campaign having lost closely fought contests to both Bangladesh and Pakistan. Sri Lanka officially has zero points from two matches and has been officially eliminated.

IND vs SL: Head-to-Head 

India and Sri Lanka have faced each other 32 times in T20Is:

• Matches Played: 32
• IND Won: 21
• SL Won: 09
• No Result: 01
• Tied: 01

IND vs SL: Stadium Stats

The Dubai International Stadium has historically produced balanced games, though chasing teams typically have the highest win rate under lights.

• Matches Played: 77
• Win Bat First: 40%
• Win Bowl First: 58%
• Average 1st Innings Score: 141
• Average 2nd Innings Score: 130
• Highest Total: 212/2 by India vs Afghanistan
• Lowest Total: 55/10 by West Indies vs England
• Highest Successful Chase: 184/8 by Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
• Lowest Total Defended: 135/6 by Canada vs Netherlands

See Also: Asia Cup 2025: Who said what? after PAK vs BAN Super 4 match 5

IND vs SL: Predicted Playing XIs

India (IND): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

Sri Lanka (SL): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Asia Cup 2025: Super 4 Points Table

In Super 4, after the completion of five matches, the points table looks like this.

Starting the Asia Cup 2025 as among the favourites, Sri Lanka surprised in the Super Fours performances, as they have been eliminated from the tournament, while they still have to play one game in the ongoing Super Fours stage. 

India vs Bangladesh Super Fours in the Asia Cup 2025 was one of the important fixtures for the T20 Asia Cup defending champions Sri Lanka, as they could only stay in the tournament if Bangladesh managed to defeat the Men in Blues. Apart from that result, Sri Lanka would also need to hope for another Bangladesh victory against Pakistan on Thursday's fixture, after which the Lankans would need to beat India, and also need to maintain a good net run rate, as India and Pakistan would also have two points at the end of the Super Fours, while Bangladesh would end the stage with six points in that scenario. 

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Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka eliminated; India qualified for Final

But the only unbeaten side in the Asia Cup 2025, India, expectedly dominated against Bangladesh, as the Men in Blues claimed another comfortable victory by 41 runs to secure their place for the Asia Cup 2025 Final as well as eliminate Sri Lanka from the tournament. Although Sri Lanka will play against India in the last Super Fours fixture on Friday (September 26), the T20 Asia Cup defending champions won't have any chance to qualify for the Final of the tournament. 

Meanwhile, on Thursday (September 25), Pakistan and Bangladesh will face each other to battle for the last spot of the Asia Cup 2025 Final, as the winner of the match will advance to the Final. So, this Super Fours fixture has turned out as the unofficial Semi-final.  

Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka finished Group B as champions

Sri Lanka started the tournament brilliantly, as they finished the group stage as the champions. While Group B had teams like Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong, along with Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka won all those matches to join the Super Fours as the Group B champions. In the group stage, the Lankans defeated Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan by six wickets, four wickets, and six wickets, respectively. However, in the Super Fours, Sri Lanka first lost against Bangladesh by four wickets, then Pakistan beat them by five wickets last night. It is very difficult to see the T20 Asia Cup defending champions and one of the favourites of the Asia Cup 2025, Sri Lanka, have been eliminated before the end of the Super Fours competition.  

Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in Match 15 of the 2025 Asia Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, September 23. Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan enters the contest low on confidence after suffering a second defeat to arch-rivals India in the ongoing tournament, this time in their Super Four opener. The Men in Green will be desperate to bounce back with a win to revive their campaign and keep their hopes of progressing further alive in the competition.

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Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are also under immense pressure after losing their first Super Four clash against Bangladesh. The Lankan Lions failed to defend a 169-run target, eventually going down by four wickets. Prior to that, they were unbeaten in the group stage, winning all three of their fixtures. However, with one Super Four defeat already, another slip could eliminate them from the tournament, making this a must-win encounter for both sides.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Super 4, Match 15: Live Streaming Details

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Super 4, Match 15: Probable Playing XI

Pakistan (Probable Playing XI):

Sri Lanka (Probable Playing XI):

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (C), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara.

Pakistan produced an all-round performance to beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in their 4 clash of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday. Chasing 134, Pakistan crossed the finish line with 12 balls to spare, riding on a match-winning stand between Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz after losing early wickets.

Sri Lanka, asked to bat first, struggled to find rhythm in their innings. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early, removing Kusal Mendis for a duck and Pathum Nissanka soon after. Kusal Perera’s brief cameo was ended by Haris Rauf, while captain Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka fell in quick succession, leaving Sri Lanka in deep trouble. Kamindu Mendis offered resistance with a well-made 50 off 44 balls, but with little support apart from Wanindu Hasaranga (15) and Chamika Karunaratne (17*), Sri Lanka were restricted to 133/8 in 20 overs. Afridi starred with 3/28, Hussain Talat chipped in with two key strikes, and Abrar Ahmed’s spell of 4-0-8-0 built crucial pressure.

In reply, Pakistan started briskly with Sahibzada Farhan’s 24 off 15 balls and Fakhar Zaman’s 17, but both fell to Maheesh Theekshana in the Powerplay. Hasaranga’s double strike then reduced Pakistan to 57/4, raising Sri Lanka’s hopes. However, Hussain Talat (32 off 30) and Mohammad Nawaz (38* off 24) steadied the chase with a 58-run partnership. Nawaz’s clean hitting in the final overs sealed victory, as Pakistan reached 138/5 in 18 overs.

SL vs PAK: Who Said What?

Hussain Talat (Player of the Match):

It is difficult as it is hot. The conditions were not easy. I took my time. The conditions don't allow you to go full fledged even if you want to play aggressive cricket. The captain and coach talked to me. The plan was go to and attack. But I backed my gut feeling. I wanted to take some time and then felt the boundaries will come. There was a lot of humidity. My energy was low. At the end, we decided he will go for the big shots. I was working on my bowling quite a lot with my bowling coach. I had to back my plan B. If I bowl two good overs, I knew my team will benefit.

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Salman Agha (Pakistan Captain):

I always smile. Can't say it is a perfect game. We lost four wickets in 3 overs. Apart from that, it was a perfect game. We need to stop these. Our fielding coach has been working really hard with him. We have named him Rockstar. Our players have been doing extra on the field. Shaheen has been bowling really well. He is an asset for us. He is a match-winner. We play so many all-rounders as the game nowadays demands that. I know Talat for several years. Really happy for him. Nawaz as a batter has so much potential. Hope both can continue. Abrar has been bowling well. Whenever we are in a difficult situation, I go to him. Hope he can continue like this for many more seasons for Pakistan.

Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka Captain):

If you lose 5 wickets before the 10th over, it will be hard. The surface was good. They bowled and fielded really well in the first 8-9 overs. We just scored 133. But we didn't give up and fought really hard. Hasaranga is a super star in white ball cricket.