The Pakistan National Cricket Team will be up against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team for a two-match Test series. It begins from 9th November at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. This is a big series for both sides, given their different standings in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 table. Both teams would want to win this series.
Pakistan recently won the tri-series against Sri Lanka, as they chased down a target of over 300 runs, winning the match by three wickets. They had been in decent form in the white-ball format, but their Test form has been called into question as they have won just one game away from home in the last three years.
PAK vs SL Match Preview and Recent Form
Babar Azam’s side has been in poor form in the traditional format of the game. Pakistan have lost 16 out of their 21 games and currently sit at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, similar to where they finished the last cycle. They have already been eliminated from qualifying for the final. This is a low for Pakistan cricket, as they would want to turn things around.
The Men in Green lost 3-0 to England away from home; they were slammed for their poor performance in the English conditions, as they failed to have answers to the swinging and seaming conditions. They only won against West Indies away from home, as they drew the series 1-1.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka has been in good form in the traditional format of the game. Though they lost their home series against India 0-1, they showcased an amazing fight and made the Men in Blue work for every wicket, and Sonal Dinusha came out as a new star who was excellent throughout the series.
Sri Lanka is currently in 7th position on the WTC table. They will be well aware that Babar Azam's side lost their last home series against Bangladesh. They have a huge chance to win the series and put pressure on the higher-placed teams in the WTC table.
PAK vs SL Live Streaming: Where to Watch the 1st Test?
The 1st Test of the Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan starts on November 9, 2026, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium at 10:00 AM IST (9:30 AM local time). In India, there is no confirmation of where the series will be live-streamed, given the tensions between the two countries. In Sri Lanka, PEO Sports 1 / PEO Mobile might telecast, while in Pakistan, Tapmad will be the broadcaster.
PAK vs SL Pitch Report: How Will Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Play?
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch generally favors batters in the first two days before offering assistance to fast bowlers with seam movement and spinners later in the match. However, as per recent reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking to make pace-heavy wickets for the forthcoming series. This is going to be interesting to watch, given the kind of wickets they make.
Thus, the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team is also planning to counter with a pace-heavy attack, potentially playing four fast bowlers alongside a frontline spinner, and has recently prepared with warm-up matches ahead of the PAK vs SL first game.
PAK vs SL Test Stats at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Total Test matches: 17
Matches won batting first: 8
Matches won chasing: 5
Draw/No result: 3
Average first-innings score: 336
Average second-innings score: 399 – 400
Highest team total: 657 all out (101 overs)
Lowest team total: 112 all out (37.2 overs)
Highest successful chase: 220/8
Lowest total defended: 187 all out (62.2 overs)
Highest individual score: 270 – Rahul Dravid
Best bowling figures in innings: 7/66 – Mohammad Zahid
- Best bowling figures in match: 11/130– Mohammad Zahid
PAK vs SL Weather Forecast & Rain Threat at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
The weather at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is expected to remain mostly clear during the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka first Test match, with few chances of rain following earlier weather concerns. Temperatures are likely to range between 22°C and 25°C during the evening match hours, providing comfortable conditions for the players.
The precipitation chance is expected to remain low, at around 2%, while humidity levels could range between 63% and 69%. It is expected to be a bit cloudy in the early stages of the game, with winter just entering the subcontinent.
PAK vs SL Team News & Squad Updates
Pakistan has made some changes in the squad ahead of the first game. PCB has released Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal from the Test squad, while Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Tayyab Arif and Saqib Khan have been added to the squad.
There has been no injury news as of now, though their former captain Shan Masood is dealing with a calf injury; however, he was not named in the squad earlier as well.
On the other hand, Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series in Pakistan, as he is yet to recover from a left hamstring injury. He also missed the series against India.
PAK vs SL Predicted Playing 11 Today
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:
Azan Awais, Sameer Minhas, Muhammad Tayyab Arif, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Aamer Jamal, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas, Saqib Khan
Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:
Lahiru Udara, Kusal Mendis (c&wk), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara
PAK vs SL Key Player Battles to Watch
Pasindu Sooriyabandara vs Razaullah
This is going to be an exciting battle, as Razaullah has been performing well in Test matches, as he did in England. Pasindu Sooriyabandara came in big in the second Test match against India. The two would look to help their teams in different aspects.
Babar Azam vs Asitha Fernando
Captain Babar Azam has not been in great form, as he would like to score some runs in the first game. Asitha Fernando would like to take the prized wicket of Babar, as this battle will be a fiery exchange.
Sonal Dinusha vs Saqib Khan
Sonal Dinusha has been Sri Lanka's best batter in this format. He has been excellent against spin and pace as well. Saqib Khan would like to take this wicket in the PAK vs SL game.
PAK vs SL Key Players to Watch
Pakistan: Azan Awais, Saud Shakeel, Razaullah
Sri Lanka: Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis, Asitha Fernando
Also Read: Shadman Islam ruled out of South Africa tour in major blow for Bangladesh
