- Shanaka leads Sri Lanka after Asalanka’s late withdrawal
- Pakistan enter tri-series with strong 2025 T20 form
- Zimbabwe aim to prove qualifier dominance on bigger stage
Rawalpindi becomes the heartbeat of world cricket this week as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe launch their final sprint towards the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. With squads still unsettled and combinations still untested, this series doubles as a final laboratory for teams hoping to peak at the right moment.
Pakistan enter as the form team, having won 17 of their 29 T20Is this year, reaching the Asia Cup final and beating South Africa 2-1 in their most recent series. Under Salman Agha, their batting has found purpose while the bowling continues to be their strongest weapon. A resurgent Babar Azam, fresh off an ODI hundred and a match-winning 68 against South Africa, adds further menace.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are still searching for answers in the shortest format. Their inconsistency with the bat remains a concern, though Pathum Nissanka’s rise has been a rare bright spark. The visitors have turned to Dasun Shanaka for leadership after Charith Asalanka was ruled out due to illness, while Wanindu Hasaranga’s lingering hamstring issue has opened the door for leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, who joins the squad from Qatar.
Zimbabwe arrive with renewed confidence after dominating the Africa Qualifier to secure their World Cup berth. Brian Bennett’s explosive run, 314 runs at 181.50 was central to their success, but the challenge now intensifies against higher-ranked opposition. They also bring in 19-year-old left-arm quick Newman Nyamhuri, replacing the injured Blessing Muzarabani.
Security-related schedule changes mean the entire tournament will now be played in Rawalpindi, where winter evenings promise cold temperatures, quick outfields and batting-friendly surfaces with enough bite for seamers. Conditions that could define this series and shape World Cup plans.
With Babar regaining rhythm, Nissanka carrying Sri Lanka’s batting hopes, and Bennett emerging as Zimbabwe’s new star, all eyes will be on Rawalpindi as three nations chase clarity, confidence and a spark that could reshape their World Cup campaigns.
Squads:
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranaga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (C), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq
Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (C), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Brendan Taylor
Recent form guide:
Sri Lanka: LLLWW
Pakistan: WWLLW
Zimbabwe: LLLWW
Series schedule (all matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium):
18 November – Pakistan v Zimbabwe
20 November – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe
22 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka
23 November – Pakistan v Zimbabwe
25 November – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe
27 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka
29 November – Final
