Pakistan have drawn first blood in their three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, clinching a convincing four-wicket victory in the opening encounter at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on January 7, 2026. With the ICC T20 World Cup just around the corner and both teams set to play their group and Super Eights matches on Sri Lankan soil, this series serves as a crucial dress rehearsal for both squads. And what a start it was for the Men in Green, who showcased their depth and adaptability despite missing several star names.
Heading into this series, Pakistan's preparations were under the microscope. The absence of big names like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan—each granted No Objection Certificates by the Pakistan Cricket Board to participate in the ongoing Big Bash League—meant that a younger, less experienced squad would have to step up. Shaheen, notably, is sidelined from BBL action due to a knee injury, while Babar and Rizwan have struggled for form in Australia, tallying 131 and 99 runs respectively in their BBL campaigns so far. Haris Rauf, on the other hand, has shone with 12 wickets in six matches for the Melbourne Stars.
Despite these absences, Pakistan fielded a new-look XI under the leadership of Salman Ali Agha, featuring the likes of Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed. Sri Lanka, captained by Dasun Shanaka, lined up with Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, and Nuwan Thushara.
The opening match got underway with Pakistan winning the toss and opting to bowl first on a pitch that, while generally considered batting-friendly, offered a bit of spice for the bowlers early on. Sri Lanka’s batting, however, faltered from the outset. Salman Mirza’s new ball burst in the powerplay rattled the top order, and the hosts never really recovered. Shadab Khan, making his much-anticipated return to international cricket after shoulder surgery, proved why he’s so highly regarded in this format. His decisive two-wicket over earned him the Player of the Match award and turned the screws further on the Sri Lankan middle order.
Pakistan’s spin attack continued to apply the brakes, with Abrar Ahmed’s steady rise as a wicket-taker on show. Sri Lanka’s top and middle order, including the likes of Nissanka, Mendis, and Asalanka, struggled to find momentum. The home side eventually limped to 128 all out—a below-par total by any measure, especially given the conditions. The surface, while offering some uneven bounce, was not the kind of minefield that would excuse such a batting collapse. As one observer put it, "Sri Lanka will want to file this away as an off day at the office. The batting misfired badly, and the bowling offered little resistance."
Pakistan’s chase was all business. The opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub set the tone, racing to 59 inside the Powerplay and putting the pressure squarely on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Nuwan Thushara, in particular, bore the brunt of some aggressive stroke-play, as the openers feasted on his pace and errant lines. Although a few wickets fell in the middle overs—Fakhar Zaman being stumped after a rare moment of aggression—the target was never in doubt.
Shadab Khan, fresh off his exploits with the ball, chipped in with a composed cameo alongside Usman Khan to steer Pakistan home. The winning runs came in the 17th over, with Usman Khan finishing unbeaten and the scoreboard reading 129 for 4. The chase was described as "easy peasy for Pakistan. A neat and clean outing where they were never stretched. A paltry target was on offer, and it was tucked away inside the Powerplay as they raced to 59 without fuss."
While Pakistan can take plenty of positives from this performance—Mirza’s incisive new-ball spell, Shadab’s reassuring return, and the poise of their young batters—there remain areas to fine-tune. A couple of dropped catches crept into the fielding effort, a detail that captain Salman Agha will want to address as the series progresses. For Sri Lanka, the match was a wake-up call. The bowling lacked discipline, with the attack unable to capitalize on the uneven bounce or put sustained pressure on Pakistan’s batters. Wanindu Hasaranga’s departure from the field with a suspected hip issue added to their woes and will be closely monitored ahead of the second T20I.
This result continues a trend in the rivalry: Pakistan have now won three of their last four T20Is against Sri Lanka, including a 3-0 whitewash on Lankan soil back in 2015 and a dominant performance in the recent ACC Asia Cup Super Fours. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have managed just two wins in their last six home T20Is against Pakistan, highlighting the challenge they face in turning the tide ahead of the World Cup.
Both teams will be eager to use this series to acclimatize to Sri Lankan conditions before the global event. As noted by analysts, "This series will help ensure they are embedded before the global event begins." For the captains—Dasun Shanaka and Salman Agha—the spotlight remains bright. Both are allrounders, both bat in the middle order, and both will be looking to lead from the front as their teams look to build momentum.
Looking ahead, the second T20I promises to be a fascinating contest. Will Sri Lanka bounce back and level the series, or will Pakistan’s young guns continue their impressive run? With the World Cup looming, every match is a chance to test combinations, assess form, and make a statement. For now, Pakistan have struck the first blow, and the road to the T20 World Cup just got a little clearer.