PAK vs SL Dream11 Prediction, 1st T20I, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing XI, Injury Updates, Pitch Report for Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan, 2026

The match will take place at the iconic Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are set to lock horns in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, October 9. The hosts will enter the contest with plenty of confidence after recently winning the silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games, while Sri Lanka will be keen to put their recent T20I struggles behind them.

Pakistan have handed the T20I captaincy to Sahibzada Farhan, who led the side at the Asian Games. The right-handed batter enjoyed an impressive 2026 T20 World Cup campaign and will be expected to lead the batting unit alongside experienced campaigners such as Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be led by Kusal Mendis. The wicketkeeper-batter was in excellent form during Sri Lanka’s recent tour of England and will be one of the key players for the visitors.

Also check: IND vs WI Dream11 Prediction, 2nd T20I, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing XI

Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafay, Sahibzada Farhan(C), H Nawaz, FK Zaman, Abdul Samad, Sufyan Moqim, SH Khan, Maaz Sadaqat, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

Bench: Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran, Razaullah, Ghazi Ghori, Saad Baig, Babar Azam, Azan Awais, Shan Masood, Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Ali, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Abbas, U Shah, Mohammad Imran, Salman Mirza

SSD Arachchige, Sineth Jayawardene, PHKD Mendis, D Shanaka, K Mendis(C), AM Fernando, D Chameera, N Thushara, M Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga

Bench: LU Igalagamage, Kamil Mishara, KNM Fernando, N Dickwella, RTM Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, P Sooriyabandara, D de Silva, K Nuwantha, NGRP Jayasuriya, D Madushanka, M Priyanath, MVT Fernando, L Kumara, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, B Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth

Will update once available.

The Rawalpindi surface has traditionally offered good conditions for stroke-making, meaning another high-scoring contest could be on the cards.

Sahibzada Farhan has been in excellent T20 form, scoring 394 runs in his last nine matches at an average of 56.29 and a strike rate of 155.11.

Dushmantha Chameera has picked up 10 wickets in his last seven T20 matches. His pace and ability to strike with the new ball make him a valuable option.

Saim Ayub brings value with both bat and ball. He has scored 176 runs and picked up seven wickets in his last nine and seven T20 matches, respectively, making him a strong option.

Dasun Shanaka has scored 215 runs in his last eight T20 matches at a strike rate of 169.29. His ability to score quickly in the middle order makes him one of Sri Lanka’s key batting options.

Maheesh Theekshana has taken five wickets in his last six T20 matches while maintaining an economy rate of 7.82. His ability to bowl economical spells in the middle overs makes him a useful budget pick.

Kamindu Mendis has scored 178 runs in his last eight T20 matches. He can contribute with both bat and ball, making him a handy option.

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