Rawalpindi: Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the opening match of the 2026 ODI tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, October 18. England are the third team in the tournament, which will run until October 31 as the sides prepare for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The opening match is scheduled to begin at 1 pm Pakistan Standard Time (1.30 pm Indian Standard Time), with the toss at 12.30 pm PKT. The seven-match competition will feature a double round-robin format, followed by a final between the top two teams.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: Match details
- Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, first ODI
- Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- Start time: 1.30 pm IST
- Toss: 1 pm IST
- Tournament: Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026
Pakistan will begin the tournament on home soil, while Sri Lanka will look to make an early impression in the three-team competition. England will join the action in the second match against Pakistan on October 20.
Where to watch Pakistan vs Sri Lanka live in India
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s official broadcast information, Veto will provide digital coverage of the ODI tri-series in India.
The PCB’s announcement lists Veto as the digital platform for Indian viewers. It does not list a television broadcaster for India, so a confirmed TV channel should not be assumed.
Viewers should check Veto’s official platform for streaming access, subscription requirements and match availability before the game.
Live telecast and streaming details in other countries
The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the following broadcast arrangements for the tournament:
- Pakistan: PTV Sports on television; PCB Live, Tapmad and Tamasha for streaming.
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports on television and digital platforms.
- North America: Willow TV on television and digital platforms.
- Sri Lanka: Dialog, Peo TV and Siyatha TV.
- Australia: Fox Sports.
- MENA region: Cricbuzz on television and digital platforms.
- India: Veto for digital coverage.
These details are based on the PCB’s published broadcast information for the tri-series.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: Tri-series schedule
The tournament will feature seven matches across Rawalpindi and Lahore. The first three fixtures will take place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium before the action moves to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 18 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi |
| October 20 | Pakistan vs England | Rawalpindi |
| October 22 | Sri Lanka vs England | Rawalpindi |
| October 25 | Pakistan vs England | Lahore |
| October 27 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Lahore |
| October 29 | Sri Lanka vs England | Lahore |
| October 31 | Final | Lahore |
All matches are scheduled to begin at 1 pm PKT, with the toss at 12.30 pm PKT. The final will be played between the two teams that finish highest in the standings.
Tri-series offers preparation ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup
The tournament gives Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England an opportunity to assess their ODI combinations ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Pakistan will be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Harry Brook captains England. Sri Lanka’s squad includes experienced players such as Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka and Maheesh Theekshana.
With each side scheduled to face the other twice during the league stage, the competition will provide multiple opportunities to test combinations before the final on October 31.
The opening Pakistan-Sri Lanka encounter will start the tournament, with the two sides set to meet again in Lahore on October 27. Their first meeting will offer an early indication of how both teams approach the ODI competition.