Rawalpindi hosts the opening fixtures from October 18 before Lahore stages the remaining matches and the final on October 31.
Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka are preparing for a competitive seven-match One-Day International (ODI) tri-series, which begins on Sunday, October 18, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The tournament will feature three international sides competing for a place in the final scheduled for October 31 in Lahore.
All matches will have their toss at 12:30pm Pakistan Standard Time (PKT). England will begin their campaign against hosts Pakistan on October 20 before facing Sri Lanka two days later, on October 22. The final four matches, including the title-deciding contest between the top two teams, will take place in Lahore.
Shaheen Afridi Leads Pakistan at Home
Pakistan will be captained by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has won seven of his 11 ODIs as national captain. England will be led by Harry Brook, while Kusal Mendis will take charge of Sri Lanka.
Pakistan’s squad gathered in Islamabad on October 14 and completed three days of training ahead of the opening match. Sri Lanka arrived on October 12 and began preparations two days later. England reached Pakistan on October 16 and will have three training sessions to adjust to local conditions before their first fixture.
The competition marks the fourth ODI tri-series hosted by Pakistan. Previous editions on home soil took place in 1994, 2004 and 2025.
Recent Form Raises Expectations
Pakistan have won three of their last four ODI series, defeating South Africa 2-1, Sri Lanka 3-0 and Australia 2-1. Their only defeat during this period came against Bangladesh in an away series.
England arrive with strong momentum after winning three consecutive ODI series, including victories involving Sri Lanka and India. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, recently secured a 1-0 result in their three-match series against West Indies before losing to England.
Babar Azam, Joe Root and Kusal Mendis will be among the leading batters to watch. Pakistan’s squad also includes uncapped players Razaullah and Saad Baig, offering opportunities for emerging talent.
Captains Expect Tough Competition
Afridi believes the tournament will provide valuable preparation for Pakistan’s busy ODI season, highlighting the balance between experienced players and younger prospects. Brook has emphasised adaptability to unfamiliar conditions, while Mendis expects Sri Lanka to compete strongly against both opponents.
Where to Watch the ODI Tri-Series
PTV Sports will broadcast the matches live in Pakistan, while Tapmad and Tamasha will provide streaming coverage. PCB Live will also carry the tournament across Pakistan, the United Kingdom, North America, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe.
With three competitive teams, experienced international batters and promising emerging players, the tri-series offers an important opportunity for all sides to test their combinations ahead of future ODI assignments.