Pakistan to host first-ever T20I tri-series featuring Afghanistan and Sri Lanka

Pakistan

In a landmark announcement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the country will host its first-ever T20I tri-nation series in November 2025, with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka as the participating teams. The series is expected to serve as a crucial build-up for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

A historic first for Pakistan cricket

This tri-series will be the first time Pakistan is organising such an international T20 event on its soil, featuring two fellow South Asian cricketing nations. For Pakistan, which has been striving to re-establish itself as a safe and attractive cricketing destination, the announcement carries both sporting and symbolic significance.

Tri-series involving Pakistan have been rare in the past, especially in the T20 format. By bringing together Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, the event is poised to strengthen regional cricketing ties while giving local fans a chance to witness high-profile contests.

Strategic timing with World Cup preparations

Scheduled for November 2025, the series comes at a crucial time as teams begin fine-tuning their squads and strategies ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Conditions in Pakistan will offer Afghanistan and Sri Lanka the opportunity to adapt to subcontinental pitches similar to those expected in India and Sri Lanka during the global tournament.

For Pakistan, the event will provide a platform to test young talent, refine batting orders, and assess bowling combinations. Similarly, Afghanistan will see this as a chance to sharpen its aggressive T20 style, while Sri Lanka will focus on consolidating a side that has recently been in transition.

Broader significance

Beyond cricketing considerations, the series is another step in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to host more international events after years of foreign teams hesitating due to security concerns. Recent successful tours have helped rebuild confidence, and the tri-series will further demonstrate Pakistan’s capacity to host multi-nation events smoothly.