Wanindu Hasaranga and Sri Lanka team - (Source:AFP)
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are all set to begin their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026, as two heavyweights will lock horns for the first of a three-match T20I series on Wednesday, January 7, at the Dambulla International Stadium.
The Men in Green are already in Sri Lanka, sweating hard in the nets as both teams will treat the upcoming series as a practice ground for the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, starting from February 7.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Preview
For Pakistan, Salman Ali Agha will lead the Men in Green, who are without a lot of their star power because of BBL commitments. Notably, Pakistan will miss Babar Azam as he is playing for Sydney Sixers in BBL. Further, Shaheen Afridi will miss the tour because of his recent knee injury. However, it also gives Pakistan a chance to test its bench strength.
Let’s look at Pakistan’s squad for Sri Lanka T20Is
Salman Ali Agha (C), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (WK), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (Wk), Usman Tariq
Sri Lanka's squad for Pakistan T20Is
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Traveen Mathew, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, and Eshan Malinga.
Meanwhile, this article will shed light on Sri Lanka's probable playing XI for the 1st T20I against Pakistan.
Sri Lanka Playing XI vs Pakistan- 1st T20I
Openers and Top Order (Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara)
Sri Lanka will go ahead with trusted openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. Nissanka is in top form as he recently amasssed 243 runs in six innings in ILT20. Further, he slammed 625 runs in 2025, making him a top choice.
Kusal Mendis, on the other hand is struggling for consistency and has 388 runs in 18 innings in 2025. He has two centuries and two fifties, but an average of just 24.75.
Kamil Mishara will also be a part of the top-order as the 24-year-old was in great form during Pakistan tri-series 2025. Kamil amassed 169 runs in four innings, averaging 42.35 and a strike-rate of 138.52. Most importantly, Mishara scored twin fifties against Pakistan, including one in the final.
Middle Order and All Rounders (Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C)
In the middle-order, Sri Lanka have Kusal Perera and Charith Asalanka, who can provide the stability, play the anchor role, and also switch gears when rewuired. Kusal Perera has 357 runs in 16 innings, whereas Asalanka has just 156 runs in 12 matches in 2025.
Among the all-rounders, Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka will don the responsibilities on their shoulders. Shanaka is the newly recruited captain for Island Nation and will lead the side for Pakistan series and T20 World Cup 2026.
Talking about the stats, Kamindu Mendis has 388 runs in 18 innings in 2025 and a solitary wicket in three innings. Shanka has 220 runs in 13 innings and eight wickets in 14 games.
Bowlers ( Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana)
Sri Lanka are likely to go ahead with two proper spinners - Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and two seamers - Matheesha Pathirana, and Dushmantha Chameera.
Hasaranga will the premier spinner as the right-arm spinner has 17 wickets in 12 innings in 2025 and formed a formidable duo with Theekshana, who has 11 wickets in 13 innings, which is 28 scalps combined.
Matheesha Pathirana has had a troubled your, but his abilities as a bowler cannot be underminded. Sri Lanka face a tough task to pick between Malinga and Pathirana, but the Island Nation are likely to go for the latter.
Further, Dushmantha Chameera has been in fine form and picked up seven wickets in five innings in Pakistan tri-series 2025.
Sri Lanka Playing XI vs Pakistan- 1st T20I 2026
Pathum Nissanka
Kusal Mendis (wk)
Kamil Mishara
Kusal Perera
Charith Asalanka
Kamindu Mendis
Dasun Shanaka (C)
Wanindu Hasaranga
Dushmantha Chameera
Maheesh Theekshana
Matheesha Pathirana
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