Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Preview: Pitch Report, Playing XI, Weather, Live Streaming & Match Prediction
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I will be played at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, marking the start of an exciting T20 series between two Asian cricket giants. Both teams enter the contest with key absences, leadership changes, and experimental combinations, making this match highly anticipated among cricket fans.
With the T20 World Cup preparations underway, this series is crucial for squad depth testing and momentum building.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I – Match Details
- Match: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st T20 International
- Venue: Dambulla International Cricket Stadium
- Toss Time: 6:30 PM IST
- Match Start: 7:00 PM IST
- Series Type: Bilateral T20I Series
Key Team Updates Ahead of SL vs PAK 1st T20I
Pakistan Team News
Pakistan will miss two of their biggest match-winners:
- Babar Azam – Playing in the Big Bash League after PCB allowed players to skip the Sri Lanka series. He remains part of Pakistan’s provisional T20 World Cup squad.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi – Ruled out due to a knee injury suffered during the BBL.
Despite these absences, Pakistan still boast a strong spin and all-rounder lineup.
Sri Lanka Team News
Sri Lanka begin a new phase under Dasun Shanaka, who takes charge as captain. The team will look to quickly settle on the right playing combination while leveraging home conditions.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Pitch Report – Dambulla Stadium
The Dambulla pitch is expected to be batting-friendly, especially during the first innings.
Pitch Characteristics:
- Good bounce and carry
- Short boundaries support aggressive batting
- Spinners come into play in the middle overs
- Ideal for high-scoring T20 matches
Toss Strategy: Teams winning the toss are likely to bat first.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Weather Report
- Weather: Mostly cloudy
- Temperature: 24–27°C
- Humidity: Around 75%
- Rain Chance: Light showers possible
Rain interruptions are possible, but a full match is expected.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Live Streaming & Telecast
- TV (India): Sony Sports Network
- Live Streaming: Sony LIV App
- Match Time: 7:00 PM IST
Fans can watch the match live on television or stream it online.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Probable Playing XI
Sri Lanka Squad
Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera
Pakistan Squad
Salman Agha (Captain), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Abdul Samad, Usman Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed, Sahibzada Farhan
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Head-to-Head Record in T20Is
- Total Matches: 24
- Pakistan Wins: 14
- Sri Lanka Wins: 10
- No Result: 0
Pakistan hold a statistical advantage, but Sri Lanka remain dangerous at home.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I Match Prediction
Sri Lanka will benefit from familiar conditions, but Pakistan appear more balanced, particularly in bowling and all-round options.
Why Pakistan Are Favorites:
- Strong spin attack
- Better middle-order depth
- Experience handling pressure situations
Final Verdict
The Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I promises a thrilling contest with new leadership, missing stars, and tactical battles. Fans can expect attacking cricket, spin domination, and a close finish under the Dambulla lights.
Stay tuned for live score updates, post-match analysis, and series highlights.