Preview: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Pakistan keen to maintain unbeaten run in T20I series
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The T20I Tri-Series 2025 moves to the sixth match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Pakistan is in great form with no losses yet in the tournament, while Sri Lanka have a do-or-die match ahead of them with a loss opening up the exit doors for them.
Sri Lanka are relying on the batting skills of Pathum Nissanka and captain Dasun Shanaka who can hold the innings together. It's a bit of a mixed bag for Sri Lanka, but the last match showed that they’re more than capable of performing with both bat and ball. But the fact that Pakistan are so strong and are playing at home means Sri Lanka will need to bowl well and play safe shots if they want to cause an upset against the home side.
For now, Pakistan is sitting pretty at the top of the tri-series. Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan are the ones leading the pack of best batters, and Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were both chipping in with plenty of runs. They've had some big wins recently too - a 9-wicket win over South Africa, a 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka, and a 69-run win over Zimbabwe are all on the board.
Sri Lanka are trying to turn things around and get into better form. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have been providing a solid foundation at the top, and the team actually picked up a tie with India and a 9-wicket win over Zimbabwe to show for it.
Pakistan: W W W W W
Sri Lanka: L T L L W
Pakistan have the upper hand in their head-to-head record with 15 wins to Sri Lanka's 10 since 2007. As for their home form, Pakistan do seem to be in good nick, especially at Rawalpindi. The early assistance from the pitch in this stadium plays right into the hands of their fast bowlers, while the batters get a chance to score consistently in the middle overs.
Pakistan 15-10 Sri Lanka
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is often a good hunting ground for fast bowlers early on in the match, while the pitch becomes a bit more stable as the game wears on, making it easier for the batters to post some good scores. Spinners do have a bit of a chance in the middle phase, especially before the night sets in and the dew starts to make the ball slippery. The toss will be a big factor, and teams that bat second tend to get a tiny advantage because of the dew.
Weather-wise, it's looking like it'll be a fine day on November 27, with temperatures hanging around 20°C during the day. It should be a nice, dry day, which will keep the match flowing without any issues for both the bowlers and the batters.
Pakistan will likely keep the same lineup. Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan lead the top order, and Shaheen Afridi leads the bowling attack.
Sri Lanka brings its full squad. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis lead the batting. Spin bowler Wanindu Hasaranga is very important, and fast bowlers Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara give extra support.
Pakistan (Probable XI): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
Sri Lanka (Probable XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga
Fans can watch the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka sixth T20I match of the Tri Series 2025 live on the Sports TV channel on YouTube in India from 6:30 PM on Thursday.
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