By Hishan Welmilla
Seven-match tournament begins in Rawalpindi before moving to Lahore for the final
The stage is set for an exciting One-Day International (ODI) cricket contest as Sri Lanka, England and hosts Pakistan prepare to compete in a seven-match tri-series beginning on Sunday, October 18, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Pakistan.
The tournament, featuring six round-robin matches followed by a final between the top two teams, will run until October 31. The opening three matches will be played in Rawalpindi before the competition moves to Lahore for the remaining league fixtures and the final at the Gaddafi Stadium.
All seven matches are scheduled to begin at 1.00 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time, equivalent to 1.30 p.m. Sri Lanka time, offering local cricket fans an afternoon of international white-ball action.
Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in the opening encounter, setting the tone for a tournament that brings together three competitive sides with different strengths, ambitions and preparations ahead of future international assignments.
Captains in the Spotlight
Sri Lanka will be led by Kusal Mendis, while Pakistan will be captained by left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. England will be under the leadership of Harry Brook, who continues to guide the side in the absence of several established players.
The three captains will have important roles in shaping their teams’ campaigns, with batting consistency, bowling discipline and adaptability expected to prove decisive in the 50-over format.
For Sri Lanka, Mendis will be expected to provide leadership and stability to the batting order while helping the team build momentum against two formidable opponents. The opening fixture against Pakistan will provide an immediate test of Sri Lanka’s ability to compete in challenging conditions on foreign soil.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will look to take advantage of home conditions and the support of their own spectators. Under Afridi’s leadership, the hosts will seek to combine their pace-bowling strength with an effective batting approach to establish early control of the tournament.
England, led by Brook, will also be determined to make a strong impression. Their squad includes experienced batter Joe Root, all-rounders Sam Curran and Will Jacks, and leg-spinner Adil Rashid, providing a combination of experience, versatility and attacking potential.
Sri Lanka Look to Build Momentum
The tri-series follows Sri Lanka’s recently concluded three-match T20 International series against Pakistan, also played in Rawalpindi. Pakistan won the series 2–1, taking the first match by four wickets and the second by 82 runs before Sri Lanka responded with an eight-wicket victory in the final T20I on October 13.
That final victory should provide Sri Lanka with encouragement as the team turns its attention to the longer format. However, the change from T20 cricket to ODIs will demand greater patience, careful management of innings and sustained performance across 50 overs.
Sri Lanka will also have to adjust to Pakistan’s conditions and the challenge of facing a strong home side in the opening match. Their ability to establish partnerships, rotate the strike and maintain control during the middle overs could be crucial to their chances of securing an early victory.
The opening match also renews the ODI contest between Sri Lanka and Pakistan following their previous three-match series in Rawalpindi in November last year. Sri Lanka are therefore familiar with the venue, although conditions and team combinations can make each encounter a different challenge.
England will meet Sri Lanka on October 22 in Rawalpindi, giving Mendis and his players another opportunity to measure themselves against high-quality opposition early in the competition.
England Bring a Blend of Experience and Youth
England’s squad features a mixture of established international performers and emerging talent. Root’s experience in the 50-over format, Brook’s aggressive leadership and the all-round abilities of Curran and Jacks could make England a serious contender for the title.
However, England will be without Jos Buttler, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, while fast bowler Jofra Archer has been rested for the tour. Adil Rashid and Curran return to the squad after recovering from their respective injuries.
The tournament will also provide valuable competitive preparation for the teams as they continue developing their ODI combinations ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Full Match Schedule
Date Fixture Venue
October 18 Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Rawalpindi
October 20 Pakistan vs England Rawalpindi
October 22 Sri Lanka vs England Rawalpindi
October 25 Pakistan vs England Lahore
October 27 Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Lahore
October 29 Sri Lanka vs England Lahore
October 31 Final — top two teams Lahore
All matches are scheduled for 1.30 p.m. Sri Lanka time.
With three teams capable of producing match-winning performances, the tri-series promises an intriguing contest. Sri Lanka will be eager to translate their recent T20I success into the ODI format, while Pakistan will aim to capitalise on home advantage and England will seek to demonstrate their strength against quality opposition.
The opening encounter between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is expected to provide an early indication of the teams’ form and tactical readiness as the race for a place in the final begins in Rawalpindi.
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