Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Prediction, 1st T20I – Who will win today’s match between SL vs PAK?

Published - 06 Jan 2026, 15:23 IST | Updated - 06 Jan 2026, 16:22 IST

Sri Lanka are set to face Pakistan in a three-match T20I series in Dambulla this week. The first T20I is set to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday, January 7.

These two teams had faced each other during a T20I tri-series in Pakistan in November 2025, also involving Zimbabwe. Pakistan won one league game and lost another against Sri Lanka. However, the Men in Green emerged victorious in the summit clash. Sri Lanka, however, lost a match to Zimbabwe on the tour.

Both teams will aim to complete some last-minute preparations before the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7. Pakistan, however, will miss the services of experienced campaigners Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan.

The Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium is expected to help the spinners, especially in the second innings. Six out of the nine matches have been won by teams batting first. 209 is the highest first-innings score. Meanwhile, the lowest total is 89.

Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana.

Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad, Salman Mirza.

Sahibzada Farhan was one of Pakistan's standout batters in the shortest format in 2025. In the aforementioned tri-series, he finished as the highest run-getter, scoring 191 runs in five innings at an average of 47.75 and a strike rate of 146.92. He will look to continue his purple patch in the new year.

Wanindu Hasaranga will hold the key for Sri Lanka with the ball. He will get help from the conditions, and his overs through the middle overs are going to be crucial. The Pakistani batters will have to deal with Hasaranga's spell smartly.