Pakistan will play at least seven home matches in 23 days, and the first ball is only three days away.
The Pakistan cricket team hosts Sri Lanka and England this month in a packed run of T20Is and one-day cricket. This guide lists every fixture, every venue and the key facts behind the series. All details are accurate as of October 6, 2026.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the plan, and Sri Lanka Cricket repeated the dates in its own announcement. A few start times were still missing from the listings reviewed, so check official sources before match day.
Pakistan Cricket Fixtures at a Glance
Pakistan has three main events this month. Each one is played at home, in Rawalpindi or Lahore.
| Event | Dates | Format |
| Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Oct 9 to 13 | 3 T20Is |
| Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England tri-series | Oct 18 to 31 | ODIs |
| Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Tests | Nov 9 to 21 | 2 Tests |
The Test series falls in November, so it sits just outside the October window. It is included here because it completes the same tour.
Where Pakistan Stands Before the Series
Pakistan arrives home after a three-Test tour of England. That tour ran from August 19 to September 13, 2026.
The squad now switches to white-ball cricket on familiar pitches. Home crowds in both cities should give the team a big lift.
This tour is also part of the build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup. The tri-series gives the selectors a chance to test their one-day plans against two strong sides.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I Schedule
The three T20Is are all played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. They are spread across five days, with a rest day between each match.
| Match | Date | Day | Venue |
| 1st T20I | Oct 9 | Friday | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| 2nd T20I | Oct 11 | Sunday | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| 3rd T20I | Oct 13 | Tuesday | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
The listings show a start time of 8:30 PM IST for each game. That equals 8:00 PM in Pakistan.
Sri Lanka named a 15-player squad led by Kusal Mendis. The team flew to Pakistan on October 4.
Sri Lanka will miss Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga because of injuries. The visitors also made six changes after a 3-0 T20I defeat in England.
Sri Lanka has happy memories of Pakistan. On its last tour, in 2019, it lost the two-Test series 1-0 but won the T20I series 3-0.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England Tri-Series Schedule
The tri-series is the centrepiece of the month. Each team plays the other two teams twice, which makes six league matches. The top two teams then meet in the final.
| Match | Date | Day | Fixture | Venue |
| 1st match | Oct 18 | Sunday | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi |
| 2nd match | Oct 20 | Tuesday | Pakistan vs England | Rawalpindi |
| 3rd match | Oct 22 | Thursday | Sri Lanka vs England | Rawalpindi |
| 4th match | Oct 25 | Sunday | Pakistan vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 5th match | Oct 27 | Tuesday | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| 6th match | Oct 29 | Thursday | Sri Lanka vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Final | Oct 31 | Saturday | Top two teams | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
The first three games are in Rawalpindi. The series then moves to Lahore for the rest of the schedule.
Pakistan plays four league matches, two against Sri Lanka and two against England. If Pakistan reaches the final, it will play eight matches in total across the month.
Pakistan’s Four League Games in Detail
Pakistan opens the tri-series against Sri Lanka on October 18. That game follows the T20I series, so both teams will know each other well by then.
Two days later, Pakistan meets England in Rawalpindi. England brings a deep batting line-up, and this match will test Pakistan’s new-ball bowlers.
The rematch against England comes on October 25 in Lahore. Pakistan then faces Sri Lanka again on October 27, which could decide who reaches the final.
Pakistan has no match on October 22, 24, 26 or 28. That gives the squad time to rest and review.
Venue Guide: Rawalpindi and Lahore
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium hosts all three T20Is and the first three tri-series games. It also stages the first Test on November 9.
It is a large ground with a long record of international cricket, including the 2025 Test against South Africa.
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore hosts the last four tri-series matches, including the final. It also stages the second Test, which starts on November 17.
Lahore is a large venue with a strong crowd culture. Fans there are known for filling the stands during big matches.
Week-by-Week Calendar
A weekly view helps fans plan their viewing. Pakistan plays in most weeks of the month, with one clear rest period in the middle.
In the week of October 5, Pakistan opens the T20I series on the 9th. The second and third T20Is follow on the 11th and the 13th.
In the week of October 12, the squad rests after the T20I series. The tri-series begins on the 18th.
In the week of October 19, Pakistan plays England on the 20th. In the week of October 26, it plays Sri Lanka on the 27th, and England and Sri Lanka meet on the 29th.
The final falls on Saturday, October 31. That makes it a strong weekend finish for the home crowd.
What to Watch for in the Sri Lanka Squad
Sri Lanka will arrive with a new-look T20I team. Kusal Mendis returns as captain, and the squad also features Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka.
The spin attack includes Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana. The pace group includes Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara and Eshan Malinga.
Twenty-one-year-old Sineth Jayawardena earned a T20I call-up. Chamindu Wickramasinghe has only three T20I caps, so this series is a big chance for him.
Kusal Mendis scored 198 runs across three ODIs in England, including a score of 121 in the second match. That form makes him a threat in the tri-series too.
How the Tri-Series Final Is Decided
Each team plays four league matches. The two teams with the best results then advance to the final in Lahore.
The listing for the final on October 31 shows the teams as to be confirmed. That means any of the three sides can still reach it.
For Pakistan, the October 25 and October 27 games may matter most. Both are played in Lahore, which could give the hosts a venue edge going into the final.
The Sri Lanka Test Series in November
After the white-ball games, Pakistan and Sri Lanka play two Tests. The tour ends on November 21.
| Match | Start date | Venue |
| 1st Test | Nov 9 | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| 2nd Test | Nov 17 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Both matches count toward the 2025-27 World Test Championship. This is the second Test series Pakistan hosts in this cycle.
South Africa visited last October for a two-Test series. Sri Lanka last played Tests in Pakistan in 2019.
Why This Window Matters for Pakistan
Pakistan faces two goals in this window. First, the team wants to win at home and build momentum. Second, it wants to sort out its one-day squad ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
England adds extra quality to the field. A strong tri-series result would boost confidence against a top side.
Home conditions should help the Pakistan bowlers and batters settle quickly. The squad can also test new combinations without the pressure of a long overseas trip.
The series also helps Pakistan’s board. A full home schedule brings crowds, sponsors and attention back to domestic venues.
Quick Facts for Fans
These short facts summarise the October plan. They are handy for anyone who wants the key numbers in one place.
| Item | Detail |
| First match | Oct 9, Rawalpindi |
| Last scheduled match | Oct 31, Lahore (final) |
| Total T20Is | 3 |
| Tri-series league games | 6 (Pakistan plays 4) |
| Host cities | Rawalpindi and Lahore |
| Visiting teams | Sri Lanka and England |
| Tests to follow | Nov 9 and Nov 17 |
The whole tour lasts from October 9 to November 21. That is a stay of about six weeks for Sri Lanka, who also play the two Tests at the end of it.
How to Follow the Matches
Check the Pakistan Cricket Board website for the latest start times and ticket details. Official broadcasters will also publish their coverage plans closer to each match.
Time zones matter for fans abroad. A match that starts at 8:00 PM in Pakistan begins at 8:30 PM in India.
Weather can also affect the schedule, so keep an eye on local forecasts before each match.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Pakistan play its first match in October 2026? Pakistan plays Sri Lanka in the first T20I on October 9 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
How many T20Is will Pakistan play against Sri Lanka? Pakistan will play three T20Is, on October 9, 11 and 13.
When does the Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England tri-series start? The tri-series starts on October 18 with Pakistan facing Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
Where is the tri-series final? The final is on October 31 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
When do the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Tests start? The first Test begins on November 9 in Rawalpindi, and the second begins on November 17 in Lahore.
Conclusion
October is a big month for Pakistan cricket. The team plays three T20Is, a tri-series with at least four league games and possibly a home final.
The schedule also sets up a November Test series against Sri Lanka. For home fans, the next four weeks offer the best run of international cricket in months, with matches in two of the country’s most famous stadiums.