DAMBULLA: Pakistan will play against Sri Lanka in the first match of the T20I series consisting of three matches today in Dambulla. The game is going to kick off at 7 PM local time and it will provide a great opening for Pakistan to acclimatize to the local settings before the tournament.
The series is a big deal for Pakistan as they get ready for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which will run from February 7 to March 8 in Sri Lanka and India.
The matches in Sri Lanka will be the selectors’ chance to keep the Pakistan T20 World Cup squad of 15 players finalized. Besides, Sri Lankan conditions being a factor, all Pakistan World Cup matches will be played in that country hence the series will help the team acclimatize and, with the right plan, conquer.
The team captaincy will be continued by Salman Ali Agha, who has led Pakistan to the tops in two tri-series and several bilateral T20I series against Bangladesh, West Indies and South Africa in 2025. The series is also a platform for players to exhibit their skills and get a place in the World Cup roster.
Pakistan won three out of five of its last T20I matches against Sri Lanka, one of which was a decisive win in the semifinals of the Asia Cup T20 tournament in Dubai and another in the tri-series final in Rawalpindi.
Prior to the series, Salman Ali Agha remarked:
“This series is a wonderful chance for each player to get noticed. Our being here before the World Cup is a huge advantage. We will try to adapt to the conditions as faster as possible. Our pool has players with great talent, and I am optimistic that they will put up powerful performances.”
