The T20 Tri-Series with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe is now underway in Rawalpindi. Plans changed because of security worries after the bombing in Islamabad last week, so all the games will now be played in Rawalpindi instead of moving to Lahore after the first couple of matches.
Each team has different goals for this series, and they’re all at different points in their World Cup prep, so this series matters a lot to them.
Pakistan: Building Momentum and Confidence
Pakistan enters the series with strong form, having won 17 out of 29 T20Is this year. After making it to the Asia Cup final and defeating South Africa 2-1 in their latest T20I series, Pakistan appears to be on an upward trajectory.
Under captain Salman Agha, the batting order has shown more intent, although Pakistan still relies heavily on its bowling attack. Against South Africa, the bowlers set up two victories by restricting the opposition to modest totals. Pakistan’s preferred strategy continues to be bowling first and chasing safely.
Babar Azam’s Return to Form
Babar Azam’s recent performances suggest he is returning to top-level consistency. His first international hundred since 2023, followed by a match-winning 68 off 47 against South Africa, has boosted Pakistan’s expectations. A strong tournament here could reestablish him as one of the most dangerous T20 batters heading into the World Cup.
Squad Update
Fakhar Zaman has been added to the squad, replacing Hasan Nawaz, after showing impressive form in the ODI series.
Sri Lanka: Searching for Stability Before the World Cup
Sri Lanka continues to struggle with their T20 combinations and inconsistency in the batting lineup. Their long-standing issues with power-hitting persist, though these concerns are somewhat eased whenever Pathum Nissanka performs well at the top.
The team often appears one player short, either lacking a bowler or batter depending on the match, and this series is crucial for them to find a stable combination before hosting the World Cup.
Leadership and Injury Concerns
Dasun Shanaka leads the side as acting captain after Charith Asalanka withdrew due to illness. Wanindu Hasaranga’s minor hamstring injury remains a worry for the team. Meanwhile, Pavan Rathnayake has been drafted into the T20I squad after making his international debut in the third ODI of the Pakistan series.
Zimbabwe: Growing but Facing a Bigger Challenge
Zimbabwe’s year has been mixed, but their biggest highlight was dominating the Africa Qualifier to earn a spot in the 2025 T20 World Cup. Their five-match winning streak, including victory over Namibia in the final, showcased significant progress.
However, they come into this tri-series after a 3-0 T20I loss to Afghanistan. While they did beat Sri Lanka earlier this year in Zimbabwe, facing Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Asian conditions presents a far tougher challenge.
Players to Watch
Sikandar Raza remains the heart of the Zimbabwe side with bat and ball. Young opener Brian Bennett, who scored 314 runs at a strike rate of 181.50 in the qualifiers, will be closely watched. His ability to handle Pakistan’s pace and spin attacks will be a major test.
The squad also features 19-year-old left-arm quick Newman Nyamhuri, replacing the injured Blessing Muzarabani.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
With winter approaching, Rawalpindi will experience cold evenings, with temperatures often dropping into the low teens. These conditions may lead to fielding errors due to the ball getting slippery.
The pitch is expected to be batting-friendly, though seamers typically find movement, especially under lights.
Form Guide
Pakistan: WWLLW
Sri Lanka: LLLWW
Zimbabwe: LLLWW
Players in the Spotlight
Babar Azam – Pakistan
Signs of returning to peak form make him the biggest threat in the series.
Pathum Nissanka – Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s batting looks noticeably stronger when Nissanka performs well.
Brian Bennett – Zimbabwe
His explosive form in recent qualifiers could trouble opposition bowlers if he adapts quickly to conditions in Pakistan.
Stats and Trivia
- Zimbabwe has played five T20Is in Pakistan and lost all five.
- Since October 2022, Zimbabwe and Pakistan have a balanced record against each other, winning two games each.
- Pathum Nissanka is already Sri Lanka’s second-highest T20I run-scorer with 2211 runs in 73 innings.
Conclusion
The T20 Tri-Series in Rawalpindi is more than just a warm-up event. Pakistan aims to strengthen its growing momentum, Sri Lanka hopes to finally resolve combination issues before the World Cup, and Zimbabwe looks to gain valuable experience against stronger teams.
With form, confidence, and future planning on the line, every match in this tri-series carries significance. The coming days promise competitive cricket and key insights for all three squads ahead of global tournaments.