Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026: Head-to-Head Record and Series Review
The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka rivalry is one of Asia’s most enduring cricket contests, dating back to March 1982. As of October 2026, Pakistan lead the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka head-to-head 114-87 across all formats, with Sri Lanka’s great modern moments – including the 2022 Asia Cup final – ensuring this fixture is never predictable. This guide reviews the record and Pakistan’s January 2026 tour of Sri Lanka.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head Record Across All Formats
The overall Pakistan vs Sri Lanka record, updated through the January 2026 tour, shows Pakistan ahead in every format:
| Format | Matches | Pakistan wins | Sri Lanka wins | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 59 | 23 | 17 | 19 drawn |
| ODIs | 160 | 96 | 59 | 5 tied/NR |
| T20Is | 26 | 15 | 10 | 1 no result |
| Total | 245 | 134 | 86 | 25 |
Pakistan’s ODI dominance is the standout feature, with nearly a 60 per cent win rate across 160 matches.
2026 T20I Series Review: Drawn in Dambulla
Pakistan toured Sri Lanka in January 2026 for a three-match T20I series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, the final bilateral assignment before the T20 World Cup. Led by Salman Agha, Pakistan won the opening match comfortably: Sri Lanka were held to 129, and Pakistan chased it down within 17 overs, with Sahibzada Farhan’s well-paced half-century the standout. Heavy rain in Dambulla washed out the second match, and the decider on 11 January 2026, reduced to 12 overs by rain, was won by Sri Lanka by 14 runs (160 for 6 against 146 for 8), with Wanindu Hasaranga’s 4 for 35 earning him Player of the Match and Player of the Series. The series ended 1-1, an honest result ahead of the World Cup.
Tests and the Return of Cricket to Pakistan
In Tests, Pakistan lead 23-17 from 59 matches with 19 draws. The rivalry’s most significant chapter off the field came in 2019, when Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan marked the return of international Test cricket to the country after a decade-long absence – a milestone built on trust between the two boards. Abid Ali’s debut century at Rawalpindi in that series announced a new era, and the spin duels between Muttiah Muralitharan’s successors and Pakistan’s tweakers have produced some of the fixture’s finest cricket.
The Asia Cup Finals That Defined the Rivalry
Sri Lanka’s two great modern triumphs over Pakistan both came in Asia Cup finals. In Dhaka in 2014, Lasith Malinga’s five-wicket haul dismantled Pakistan’s batting to secure the trophy. Eight years later in Dubai, Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 23 runs in the 2022 final, with Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s unbeaten 71 and Pramod Madushan’s fiery spell sealing the win. At the 2026 T20 World Cup, Pakistan avenged some of that pain with a five-run win over Sri Lanka in the group stage.
What Next for the Rivalry
Both teams are in the Super Eight conversation at global events and drawn together in Group B at the 2027 ODI World Cup, so another meeting in South Africa, Zimbabwe or Namibia is on the cards from 7 October 2027. Follow Pakistan’s journey through our Pakistan cricket team 2026 guide and the Asia Cup 2027 guide. Also read the T20 World Cup 2026 review and our ODI World Cup 2027 schedule. External sources: the AFP-sourced tables are at Cricket.one’s PAK vs SL head-to-head and T20WorldCupLiveScore’s PAK vs SL timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka head-to-head?
Pakistan lead 134-86 across 245 matches in all formats (25 drawn/tied/no result) as of October 2026.
What happened in the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 T20I series?
The three-match series in Dambulla in January 2026 ended 1-1: Pakistan won the opener by six wickets, the second was washed out, and Sri Lanka won the rain-shortened decider by 14 runs.
Who won the 2022 Asia Cup final?
Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 23 runs in Dubai, with Bhanuka Rajapaksa scoring an unbeaten 71.
What are the record T20I scores in this fixture?
Sri Lanka’s 211 is the highest team total, while Shoaib Malik’s 397 runs are the most by any batter in the fixture’s T20Is.
When is the next Pakistan vs Sri Lanka series?
No bilateral is formally confirmed for late 2026. The next likely meeting is at the 2027 ODI World Cup, where both are in Group B.
In-Depth Guide: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026: Head-to-Head Record and Series Review
Cricket fever runs deep in Pakistan, and interest in pakistan vs sri lanka shows it. Whether you follow the pakistan vs sri lanka live score ball by ball or plan your month around the fixtures, this guide covers the essentials — the pakistan vs sri lanka tickets booking process, the pakistan vs sri lanka pakistan squad, and how to watch pakistan vs sri lanka in pakistan so you never miss a moment.
Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka Tickets Booking
The pakistan vs sri lanka tickets booking usually opens in phases, with early-bird windows for premium stands followed by general sale. Buy only from official ticketing partners and keep your confirmation email safe — screenshots of QR codes are often rejected at stadium gates. For high-demand Pakistan matches, tickets sell out within hours, so create your account and save payment details in advance.
Breaking Down the Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka Pakistan Squad
The pakistan vs sri lanka pakistan squad blends experienced campaigners with exciting young talent. Selectors typically balance the squad with specialist batters, a wicketkeeper-batter, all-rounders for depth, and a pace attack suited to the conditions. Form in the weeks before the tournament matters more than reputation, which is why late squad changes are common.
How To Watch Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka In Pakistan
For fans wondering how to watch pakistan vs sri lanka in pakistan, matches are carried by official broadcast partners on television and their streaming apps. Radio commentary and ball-by-ball text coverage are good low-data alternatives when you are travelling. Avoid unofficial streaming sites — they are unreliable and often carry security risks.
What Pakistan Needs to Get Right
- Top-order consistency: quick starts in the powerplay set up big totals.
- Death bowling: yorkers and slower balls decide close games.
- Fielding standards: sharp fielding saves 15 to 20 runs per match.
- Handling pressure: knockout games are won by calm decision-making.
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