The 50-over road to the 2027 World Cup picks up speed this weekend. Pakistan open a three-nation ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 18 October, with England joining the field in the matches that follow. The hosts arrive after a 2-1 win in the preceding T20I series, while Sri Lanka lost a key opener to injury just days before the first ball. This preview covers the series format, match details, squads, probable XIs, players to watch, conditions, and a prediction.
Tri-Series Format and Match Details
Seven matches make up the tournament, all played in Pakistan between 18 and 31 October. Each team plays the other two twice. The top two sides after the round robin meet in the final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on 31 October.
The opening fixture at a glance:
- Fixture: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI of the tri-series
- Date: Sunday, 18 October 2026
- Start time: 1:00 PM local time (1:30 PM IST), day/night
- Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- Captains: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan), Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Pakistan and Sri Lanka meet again on 27 October in Lahore. England face both sides in between, which makes every early point valuable.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head
Both teams know each other well after a busy October. Pakistan won the three-match T20I series 2-1 under Sahibzada Farhan, taking the second match by 82 runs. Sri Lanka answered in the third game with an eight-wicket win.
In 50-over cricket, Pakistan swept Sri Lanka 3-0 in a home ODI series in November 2025, with the matches played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka’s best recent result against Pakistan in the format came in the 2023 Asia Cup, when they won by two wickets on the DLS method.
Sri Lanka also come off a testing tour of England. Their ODI leg there coincided with the thigh injury that has now ruled out Pathum Nissanka.
Pakistan Team News and Probable XI
Shaheen Shah Afridi leads a 16-man ODI squad that blends experience with new faces. Seven members, including Shaheen and Babar Azam, arrived at the team hotel earlier this week, and the side began training at Rawalpindi on Thursday. Razaullah earned a maiden white-ball call-up, and Saad Baig and Arafat Minhas are also in the group.
The full squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, and Sufiyan Moqim.
A projected XI, built from that squad, reads as follows:
- Fakhar Zaman
- Saim Ayub
- Babar Azam
- Salman Ali Agha
- Hasan Nawaz
- Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk)
- Faheem Ashraf
- Shadab Khan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (c)
- Haris Rauf
- Abrar Ahmed
Sri Lanka Team News and Probable XI
Sri Lanka named a 16-man squad under Kusal Mendis. The selectors dropped former captain Charith Asalanka after a lean ODI run in England, and Wanindu Hasaranga is not part of the group. Avishka Fernando and Sahan Arachchige earned recalls.
The biggest news arrived on 15 October. Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that opener Pathum Nissanka would miss the series with a left thigh injury, and Lahiru Udara was named as his replacement. That change weakens a batting order that already lacked experience at the top.
The updated squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Lahiru Udara, Avishka Fernando, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, and Eshan Malinga.
A projected XI could look like this:
- Avishka Fernando
- Lahiru Udara
- Kamil Mishara
- Kusal Mendis (c, wk)
- Kamindu Mendis
- Janith Liyanage
- Dasun Shanaka
- Dunith Wellalage
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Eshan Malinga
Both XIs are projections, and the teams are confirmed only at the toss.
Key Players to Watch
A few names carry extra weight in this opener:
- Babar Azam (Pakistan): The veteran anchors the innings, and a long knock at home would set the tone for the series.
- Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan): His aggressive starts can break a game open in the powerplay.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan): The captain leads the attack and hunts early wickets with the new ball.
- Haris Rauf (Pakistan): His pace offers a serious threat in the middle and death overs.
- Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka): As captain and wicketkeeper, he holds the batting order together.
- Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka): His finishing and experience matter in the final overs.
- Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka): The spinner can control the middle overs on a slowing surface.
Pitch and Conditions
Rawalpindi generally offers good batting conditions. Over a small sample of five recent ODIs there, first-innings and second-innings scores both averaged close to 246 and 247, which points to a surface that rewards good shots without heavy turn. The new ball can move early, and spinners gain more grip as the pitch slows through the middle overs.
A 1:00 PM start means the first innings plays in daylight and the second moves toward the floodlights. Captains will weigh the toss carefully.
Match Prediction
Pakistan hold the clear edge. They have home advantage, a deep batting group, a settled attack, and the confidence of the T20I series win. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, lose their most reliable opener and start the series without two former captains and key all-rounders.
Sri Lanka are not without a chance. Their bowling has enough pace and spin to trouble any side, and a good start from Avishka Fernando or Kamil Mishara could change the match. Their route to a win runs through early wickets, tight middle overs, and a strong finish from Shanaka.
Three factors will likely decide the result:
- How Sri Lanka’s reshuffled opening pair handles Shaheen and Rauf.
- Whether Pakistan’s top order builds a solid platform.
- Control in the final ten overs, where both sides can score or lose quickly.
Overall, Pakistan look the stronger side and open as favourites.
Conclusion
A new World Cup cycle, a home crowd, and England waiting in the wings make this tri-series an exciting start to the 50-over season. Our website, Betbricks7, covers match previews and cricket updates like this one throughout the season. Follow Betbricks7 for more updates.
FAQs
When is the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI?
The match takes place on Sunday, 18 October 2026. It starts at 1:00 PM local time (1:30 PM IST) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Which teams play in the tri-series?
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England take part in the seven-match event. The top two teams after the round robin meet in the final on 31 October.
Who captains each side?
Shaheen Shah Afridi leads Pakistan. Kusal Mendis captains Sri Lanka.
Is Pathum Nissanka playing?
No, Nissanka is out of the series with a left thigh injury. Lahiru Udara replaces him in the squad.
What happened in the recent T20I series?
Pakistan won the three-match series 2-1 in Rawalpindi. Sri Lanka won the third game by eight wickets.