Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I - (Source: AFP)
On Friday, January 9, Pakistan will lock horns against Sri Lanka for the 2nd of three-match T20I series at the Dambulla International Stadium. It is a do-or-die game for the hosts as they suffered an embarrassing defeat in the opening match.
In the curtain-raiser, the Salman Agha-led side handed Sri Lanka a six-wicket defeat with 20 balls remaining, a near-perfect start to their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026, as they will play all their games in the Island Nation.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2nd T20I Preview
Eyes are now on the 2nd T20I, and Pakistan are likely to make changes. The Men in Green love to make constant rotations to rest players, and a couple of changes are expected for the 2nd match. Talking about the opening game, Sri Lanka, batting first, tumbled for just 128 runs, courtesy of three-wicket hauls from Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed.
In reply, Pakistan chased down the target in 16.4 overs, courtesy of a fifty-plus score from Sahibzada Farhan. The Men in Green are unlikely to go for any changes in the batting order, but they can rest a few in the bowling unit. Therefore, this article will shed light on Pakistan’s probable playing XI for the 2nd T20I against Sri Lanka.
Pakistan Playing XI vs Pakistan- 2nd T20I
Openers and Top Order - Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha
For the first T20I, as expected, Pakistan went ahead with Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan. The pair delivered and amassed a 59-run opening stand. Interestingly, Salman Agha promoted himself up the order in Babar Azam’s absence.
Agha’s promotion didn’t pay off as he amassed just 16 (11), but Pakistan will not change their top-order combination just after one match.
Middle Order and All Rounders ( Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz)
In the middle order, Fakhar Zaman is expected to hang around for a couple more games despite going through a lean phase in his career. The southpaw, who is often used as a floater, failed in the 1st T20I and amassed just 5 (10).
Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz will also continue to be the key stars in the middle order. Khan will keep wickets, while Shadab and Nawaz will be the two star all-rounders. Talking about their performances in the first T20I, Shadab scored a crucial 18 (12), which featured three fours.
Even with the ball, Shadab picked up two crucial wickets and has formed a formidable spin-batting duo with Mohammad Nawaz.
Bowlers (Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, and Usman Tariq)
In the bowling unit, Pakistan are expected to make two changes for the upcoming game. Naseem Shah is likely to return and replace Mohammad Wasim Jr, who was exceptional in the first T20I. The right-arm seamer took two wickets in his 2.2 overs and gave away just eight runs.
Naseem’s inclusion is not because of Wasim’s performance, but Pakistan’s rotation policy, where they look to give game time to every player part of the 15-member squad. Also, Naseem is in the form of his life as the youngster picked up 12 wickets in 8 innings in ILT20.
Another similar change in the playing XI is Usman Tariq’s inclusion. Abrar Ahmed picked up a three-wicket haul, but is likely to be rested for the 2nd T20I. Further, the 30-year-old recently lifted the ILT20 title with Desert Vipers and picked up five wickets in two innings.
Pakistan Playing XI vs Sri Lanka - 2nd T20I 2026
Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (C), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, and Usman Tariq.
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