Wed Jan 07 14:20:00 UTC 2026: Headline: Pakistan and Sri Lanka Face Off in T20 Series, Eyeing 2026 World Cup Preparations

The Story:
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are set to begin a three-match T20 international series starting January 7th at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. This series serves as critical preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka will co-host, and where Pakistan is scheduled to play its World Cup matches. Pakistan enters the series with a fresh approach, featuring a new captain, Salman Ali Agha, and resting key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf. Sri Lanka has already announced its provisional squad for the World Cup and will use the series to finalize its playing combination.

Key Points:

  • The T20 series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan begins on January 7th.
  • Pakistan’s squad sees Salman Ali Agha leading the team, with Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf absent.
  • Sri Lanka aims to finalize its playing combination for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
  • The series will be live-streamed in India on the Fancode app and website.
  • Historically, Pakistan holds a 16-11 head-to-head advantage over Sri Lanka in T20 internationals.

Key Takeaways:

  • Both teams view this series as crucial for refining their strategies and team composition ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
  • Pakistan is experimenting with its leadership and giving opportunities to younger players.
  • Sri Lanka is focused on solidifying their lineup, leveraging the series as a testing ground for potential combinations.
  • Pakistan’s historical dominance in T20 matches against Sri Lanka adds an element of pressure and expectation.

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