The Pakistan ODI tri-series 2026 will bring Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka together for seven matches from October 18 to 31. Rawalpindi will host the opening games before the tournament moves to Lahore, where the final will be played. All three squads have been announced, and this guide covers the full schedule, captains, venues and how the teams can reach the final.
Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead Pakistan, Harry Brook will captain England, and Kusal Mendis will take charge of Sri Lanka. Each side has selected 16 players, although Sri Lanka have attached a fitness condition to Pathum Nissanka’s inclusion.
Pakistan ODI tri-series 2026 full schedule
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play the opening match on Sunday, October 18. England’s first game is against the hosts two days later. The complete seven-match schedule announced by the cricket boards is below.
| Match | Date | Day | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 18, 2026 | Sunday | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 2 | October 20, 2026 | Tuesday | Pakistan vs England | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 3 | October 22, 2026 | Thursday | Sri Lanka vs England | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 4 | October 25, 2026 | Sunday | Pakistan vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 5 | October 27, 2026 | Tuesday | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 6 | October 29, 2026 | Thursday | Sri Lanka vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Final | October 31, 2026 | Saturday | Top two teams | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Match timings: The official fixture announcements reviewed for this article do not specify start times. Online listings currently differ, so confirmed Pakistan Standard Time and Indian Standard Time timings are still needed.
How will the tri-series work?
This is a men’s ODI competition, with matches scheduled for 50 overs per side. The three teams will play a double round-robin league, meaning each team faces both opponents twice.
That gives every team four league matches. The top two sides will then meet in the final, making six league games and one title match. There is no semi-final, and hosting the tournament does not give Pakistan an automatic place in the final.
The schedule also gives each pairing one meeting in Rawalpindi and another in Lahore. All three teams therefore play two league games at each venue before the finalists return to Gaddafi Stadium.
Which stadiums will host the matches?
Only two grounds are on the announced schedule. The first half of the league takes place in Rawalpindi, while Lahore hosts the second half and the final.
| Stadium | City | Matches allocated |
|---|---|---|
| Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | Rawalpindi | First three league matches |
| Gaddafi Stadium | Lahore | Last three league matches and the final |
The tournament changes cities after the October 22 match. There are no games scheduled on October 23 or 24, with play resuming in Lahore on October 25.
Full squads for Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka
These are the announced ODI squads, rather than confirmed playing elevens. The table lists all 16 players selected by each team. Captaincy and the wicketkeepers specifically identified in Pakistan’s announcement are marked alongside their names.
| Pakistan | England | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain) | Harry Brook (captain) | Kusal Mendis (captain) |
| Abrar Ahmed | Gus Atkinson | Pathum Nissanka (fitness clearance required) |
| Salman Ali Agha | Sonny Baker | Avishka Fernando |
| Arafat Minhas | Tom Banton | Kamil Mishara |
| Babar Azam | James Coles | Pavan Rathnayake |
| Faheem Ashraf | Jordan Cox | Sahan Arachchige |
| Fakhar Zaman | Mason Crane | Kamindu Mendis |
| Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper) | Henry Crocombe | Janith Liyanage |
| Haris Rauf | Sam Curran | Dasun Shanaka |
| Hasan Nawaz | Liam Dawson | Dunith Wellalage |
| Naseem Shah | Ben Duckett | Maheesh Theekshana |
| Razaullah | Will Jacks | Sachindu Colombage |
| Saad Baig (wicketkeeper) | Jamie Overton | Dushmantha Chameera |
| Saim Ayub | Adil Rashid | Asitha Fernando |
| Shadab Khan | Joe Root | Dilshan Madushanka |
| Sufiyan Moqim | Josh Tongue | Eshan Malinga |
Pakistan: Shaheen leads the ODI side
Pakistan’s squad combines Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman with players such as Hasan Nawaz, Razaullah and Saad Baig. Shaheen has Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah alongside him in the squad, while Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Moqim are also included.
One distinction matters here: Sahibzada Farhan will captain Pakistan in the separate T20I series against Sri Lanka. Shaheen is the captain for this ODI tri-series. Salman Ali Agha is also in the ODI squad despite being left out of the T20I squad.
England: Rashid and Curran return
England have included Adil Rashid and Sam Curran following their respective hand and groin injuries. Jofra Archer is being rested, while Jos Buttler is unavailable because of a hamstring injury, according to the ECB.
Mason Crane, James Coles and Henry Crocombe are among England’s uncapped ODI selections. Crane has already represented England in Tests and T20Is, so a possible ODI debut would be his first appearance in this format, rather than his international debut.
Sri Lanka: Nissanka’s fitness is important
Sri Lanka Cricket’s announcement states that Pathum Nissanka will travel only if he receives medical clearance. His name is in the squad, but his selection should not be read as confirmation that he is fit to play.
Avishka Fernando and Sahan Arachchige return to the ODI group. Charith Asalanka has been left out, while Wanindu Hasaranga is absent through injury, as reported by ThePapare. Kusal Mendis will lead a squad that also includes Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana.
Which fixtures could shape the final?
Pakistan and England meet on October 20 and 25, giving them the chance to respond to their first result at a different ground. Pakistan’s final league match comes against Sri Lanka on October 27.
England and Sri Lanka close the league stage on October 29. Depending on the earlier results, that game could decide the remaining final place or both qualifiers. Pakistan will have completed their fixtures by then, so their qualification may already be settled or depend on that last result.
For either England or Sri Lanka, reaching the final would mean playing again on October 31, with one clear day between the last league game and the title match.
Where can fans watch the tri-series?
Sky Sports has confirmed coverage of all seven matches in the UK and Ireland, with streaming available through NOW in those territories.
For viewers in India, an official broadcaster or streaming-platform confirmation could not be verified as of October 8. The UK and Ireland announcement does not establish Indian viewing rights, so an India-specific service should be confirmed before buying a subscription for this series.
