The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced it will stage its first-ever T20 International tri-series later this year, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. According to a press release, the series will kick off on November 17 with Pakistan taking on Afghanistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The series is being held to give all three teams valuable preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be held next year in India and Sri Lanka. This will mark Afghanistan’s inaugural T20I match in Pakistan, though they have played five ODIs in the country before, most recently against Australia during the ICC Champions Trophy this past February.
The schedule shows that Sri Lanka will face Afghanistan on November 19 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the remaining five T20Is, including the final on November 29, will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
This series follows Pakistan’s other hosting duties, including a two-match Test series against South Africa as part of the ICC World Test Championship from October 12 to November 8.
PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed said, “We look forward to hosting Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for Pakistan’s maiden T20I tri-series. This event will not only offer excellent preparation for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup but also present fans with exciting cricket across venues.”
He added, “Earlier this year, PCB successfully delivered the ICC Champions Trophy and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier. These achievements underline our capacity and readiness to host back-to-back international events at the highest level.”
Tri-Series Schedule
- November 17 — Pakistan v Afghanistan, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- November 19 — Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- November 22 — Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- November 23 — Pakistan v Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- November 25 — Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- November 27 — Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- November 29 — Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
