Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, POTS 2026, Today Match Prediction

PAK vs SL Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the first match in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series, 2026. Hosts Pakistan take on Sri Lanka as they aim to earn their first points of the tournament. Pakistan has done well recently and also won the last ODI series against Australia. Sri Lanka lost the last ODI series against England, and the team must put that behind them and play positively in this game. 

Pakistan has enjoyed an excellent record against Sri Lanka in the last five years. They have won nine of the last ten games between the two teams. The side has a stronger batting lineup and aims to build on this advantage on a flat track. Sri Lanka haven't enjoyed much success in this format, and it will be interesting to see if they can break the jinx against Pakistan. 

RECENT PERFORMANCE

PAK

W L W L W

PAK

161/6 in 41.5 3.85

AUS vs PAK 2026

Pakistan Won by 4 wickets 04 Jun 2026

AUS

157/10 in 42.0 3.74

PAK

190/10 in 44.0 4.32

AUS vs PAK 2026

Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs 02 Jun 2026

AUS

231/9 in 50.0 4.62

PAK

202/5 in 42.3 4.75

AUS vs PAK 2026

Pakistan beat Australia by 5 wickets 30 May 2026

AUS

200/10 in 44.1 4.53

BAN

290/5 in 50.0 5.8

BAN vs PAK 2026

Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 11 runs 15 Mar 2026

PAK

279/10 in 50.0 5.58

BAN

114/10 in 23.3 4.85

BAN vs PAK 2026

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 128 runs (D/L) method 13 Mar 2026

PAK

274/10 in 47.3 5.77

SL

L W L W L

ENG

355/7 in 50.0 7.1

ENG vs SL

England Won by 223 runs 27 Sep 2026

SL

132/10 in 29.1 4.53

ENG

305/9 in 50.0 6.1

ENG vs SL

Sri Lanka beat England by 16 runs 24 Sep 2026

SL

321/6 in 50.0 6.42

ENG

265/10 in 48.1 5.5

ENG vs SL

England beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs 22 Sep 2026

SL

176/10 in 37.0 4.76

WI

262/10 in 49.2 5.31

WI vs SL 2026

Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 41 runs 03 Jun 2026

SL

303/7 in 50.0 6.06

SL

304/10 in 46.4 6.51

ENG vs SL 2026

England beat Sri Lanka by 53 runs 27 Jan 2026

ENG

357/3 in 50.0 7.14

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pakistan Preview

Shaheen Afridi will go into this game full of confidence. They have enjoyed a strong home record in the last few years. The team has a strong batting lineup and an attack well suited to these conditions. Afridi wants his men to stick to their basics and execute their plans to win. 

Sahibzada Farhan is out of the series, and the team needs a strong start from Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub. Babar Azam must anchor the innings in the middle order with Ghazi Ghori and Salman Agha, who has made 450 runs in the last 12 months. The team needs quick runs from Arafat Minhas and Shadab Khan in the death overs. 

On the bowling front, Shaheen Afridi must lead from the front and strike early, along with Haris Rauf, who has picked up 19 wickets in the last 12 months. Abrar Ahmed will enjoy bowling in these conditions and must do well in the middle overs with Naseem Shah. Shadab Khan, Salman Agha, and Arafat Minhas add to the team's bowling options. 

Interesting Stats

1. Salman Agha has made 450 runs in the last 12 months at an average of 50.00
2. Haris Rauf has picked up 19 wickets in the last 12 months at an average of 19.26

PAK Over/Under Betting Tips

Babar Azam First Innings Runs Over 35.5 @ 1.85 (puntit)

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Shaheen Afridi (c), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Salman Agha, Arafat Minhas, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah

Sri Lanka Preview

Kusal Mendis and his team will face pressure straightaway in the first game. They have struggled in this format in the last couple of years. They have won only one of the last four series they have played. Their recent record against Pakistan doesn't inspire confidence either. Mendis wants his players to put the upsets behind them and start this series with a win. 

The team will feel Pathum Nissanka's absence at the top. The team needs a strong start from Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis. Kusal Mendis has made 463 runs in the last 12 months and must lead from the front and steer the innings in the middle order with Pavan Rathnayake and Dasun Shanaka. The team expects runs in the lower middle order from Janith Liyanage and Dunith Wellalage. 

The bowlers are up against a strong batting lineup. Ashita Fernando is the team's leading wicket-taker in the last 12 months and must do the early damage alongside Dilshan Madushanka. Eshan Malinga and Dunith Wellalage must trouble the batters in the middle overs and choke the run flow. Shanaka, Janith Liyanage, and Sachindu Colombage add depth to the attack. 

Interesting Stats

1. Kusal Mendis has made 463 runs in the last 12 months at an average of 51.44
2. Ashita Fernando has picked up 11 wickets in the last 12 months at an average of 47.63

SL Over/Under Betting Tips

Kusal Mendis First Innings Runs Over 26.5 @ 1.85 (puntit)

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Sachindu Colombage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We expect clear skies over Rawalpindi, with the temperature around 28°C at the start of the game. Humidity will be around 43%, making conditions tough for the players. The conditions will favour the batters, as the wicket is tough for bowlers.

PAK vs SL Pitch Report

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is a good surface to bat on as the ball comes easily onto the bat. Stroke players have done well here in the past. Fast bowlers need to mix their line well to achieve rewards on this surface, while spinners have been more successful thanks to the turn and bounce available on this surface. The average first-innings score is 242, and the team batting first would be happy to have 300 on the board.

Toss: To Bowl

Toss is a deciding factor at this venue. In the last 10 games, the team chasing the score has won eight times. Evening dew makes it difficult for the teams to defend scores. Both teams will carry the past results into the toss and look to bowl first if they win it.