Dambulla, Sri Lanka
News Desk | Sports
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to field in the opening T20 international against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on Wednesday, as both sides began a three-match series seen as key preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, according to team officials and broadcasters. The match marks the international comeback of all-rounder Shadab Khan after shoulder surgery, while Pakistan rest several senior stars as part of rotation and workload management, team management and media reports stated.
Pakistan travelled to Sri Lanka for this short T20I tour with a largely experimental squad led by middle-order batter Salman Ali Agha, following a successful home tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The three matches are being played in Dambulla on January 7, 9 and 11, forming Pakistan’s first white-ball assignment of 2026 and offering “valuable match practice ahead of next year’s global event,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said. The T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is scheduled to start on February 7, with Pakistan opening the tournament against the Netherlands.
Shadab’s inclusion for the first T20I is a major boost for Pakistan after the leg-spinning all-rounder missed several months of international cricket following shoulder surgery, having last played for the national side in June 2025. He returned to the XI in Dambulla as Pakistan opted for a spin-heavy attack on a surface expected to assist slow bowling, according to match previews and team announcements. Pakistan’s decision to field first was influenced by ground conditions and a desire to give their bowlers first use of any early assistance before assessing a chase under lights.
Several of Pakistan’s most high-profile players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, are not part of the T20I squad in Sri Lanka as selectors juggle workload management and World Cup planning. Team officials and reports have indicated that the tour is being used to test bench strength and potential back-up options ahead of the global tournament rather than rely solely on established names. Pakistan’s management has framed the series as an opportunity for emerging players to push for World Cup selection while senior stars follow tailored preparation programmes.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, enter the series under new captain Dasun Shanaka after a turbulent recent tour of Pakistan, where the hosts swept a three-match ODI series 3–0 and subsequently beat Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in a home tri-series final. That trip also saw illness and player concerns disrupt Sri Lanka’s campaign, contributing to changes in the selection panel and leadership structure ahead of the current home series. Shanaka, a middle-order batter and seam-bowling all-rounder, is seen as central to Sri Lanka’s late-overs plans, with analysts highlighting his strike rate around 120 in the finisher’s role.
Early passages of play in Dambulla suggested Pakistan’s decision to bowl first was justified, with their attack making inroads after Sri Lanka’s openers made a cautious start. Shadab struck twice on his return, removing key batters including Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva, helping Pakistan tighten their grip on the innings during the powerplay and early middle overs. Live score updates showed Sri Lanka at 15 for 1 after 3.1 overs, underscoring a disciplined new-ball effort by Pakistan’s seamers before spin took over.
Broadcasters and digital platforms have highlighted strong viewing interest in the series, with live coverage and streaming made available across major markets, including South Asia, the United Kingdom and the Middle East-North Africa region. The contests in Dambulla also serve as an opportunity for Sri Lanka to test combinations at home conditions that will mirror many of the venues for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Both boards have emphasised that performance in this series will weigh heavily in final squad decisions and tactical plans leading into the global event.
With two further matches to come in Dambulla on January 9 and 11, both teams are expected to continue rotating players while seeking stability in their core XIs. Selection calls around Pakistan’s spin balance and Sri Lanka’s middle-order composition are likely to stay under close scrutiny, given the short turnaround before the World Cup. Officials have not announced any additional fixtures between the sides before the tournament, placing added significance on the remaining two T20Is in this series.
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Hannah Price is a digital journalist who covers breaking news, global events, and trending stories with accuracy and speed. She has previously contributed to several online magazines and has built a reputation for verifying facts before publishing. Hannah believes in responsible reporting and aims to present stories in a way that readers can trust.
