Pakistan Cricket · Series Guide

Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026: Schedule, Squads, Match Timings and How to Watch

By Safiullah SoomroPublished 17 October 2026

By Safiullah Soomro · Published 17 October 2026

Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka begin their ODI tri-series on 18 October, with the final on 31 October. Here is the fixture guide for fans planning their viewing from Pakistan.

A three-team tournament gives a cricket preview a useful second layer: each side gets another meeting with the same opposition. Watch which plans survive that rematch. An opening partnership that succeeds once may face a different new-ball angle next time; a middle-order batter who gets stuck against spin may have to change the way he starts.

This guide brings together announced fixtures and squads, then adds Sportimeline’s own tactical questions for Pakistan. The analysis below is a viewing framework, rather than a prediction of the winners.

Pakistan ODI tri-series 2026 schedule

The competition has six league matches, followed by a final between the top two teams. Each team meets its two opponents twice. The opening leg is in Rawalpindi before the tournament moves to Lahore. Official ECB fixture announcement.

All matches start at 1:00 pm PKT; the toss is scheduled for 12:30 pm PKT. These are the timings in PCB’s 17 October announcement. Pakistan time is UTC+5; overseas readers should convert from 08:00 UTC. Check the organiser for any later changes.

Confirmed Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka squads

These are the squads published by PCB on 17 October. A squad list is not a confirmed playing XI; selection for each game follows separately. (c) denotes captain and (wk) denotes wicketkeeper.

Pakistan

Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Moqim.

England

Harry Brook (c), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Josh Tongue.

Sri Lanka

Kusal Mendis (c), Sahan Arachchige, Dushmantha Chameera, Sachindu Colombage, Avishka Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Janith Liyanage, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage.

How to watch the ODI tri-series in Pakistan

PCB lists PTV Sports for television and tapmad, Tamasha and PCB Live for streaming in Pakistan. Availability, subscriptions and territorial restrictions depend on the provider. Use its official app or website and confirm access before the toss. PCB broadcast and squad announcement.

For the UK and Ireland, Sky has announced coverage on Sky Sports and NOW. Sky’s broadcast confirmation. Readers elsewhere should consult PCB’s territory-by-territory list at the link above.

Sportimeline analysis: three questions Pakistan should answer

1. Can the top order turn a start into a platform?

The opening ten overs are about both scoring and preserving options. A rapid start loses some value if two quick wickets force the next pair to rebuild for a long stretch. Equally, protecting wickets without finding boundaries can leave the middle order chasing a demanding rate.

Watch the partnership’s method: are the batters rotating strike when the boundary ball disappears? Can the new batter settle without the established partner also slowing down? Those details explain more than a single powerplay total. Our ODI powerplay guide explains how fielding restrictions affect that balance.

2. Can Pakistan keep moving through overs 11–40?

The middle overs should provide the clearest measure of batting control. A side that depends only on boundaries can become vulnerable when captains protect its preferred scoring areas. The response should include singles into gaps, purposeful running and selective attacks on a bowler’s weaker delivery.

For a simple viewing exercise, track every five-over block. Note runs, wickets and dot balls, then ask whether a quiet spell came from good bowling or avoidable hesitation. If a batter responds to pressure with one risky shot after several dots, the problem may have begun well before the dismissal. Read our scorecard and run-rate guide for help following these changes.

3. Can the bowling unit create pressure together?

One excellent over becomes less useful when the next offers easy release shots. Pakistan’s attack should be judged in partnerships: whether the bowler at the other end supports a tight spell, whether field placements match the intended length, and whether the captain reacts before the batter becomes comfortable.

At the end of an innings, watch execution as well as the delivery choice. A yorker attempted at the wrong length can become a scoring opportunity; a slower ball needs disguise and a suitable field. Compare the plan across several deliveries before deciding that a particular tactic has failed. The strongest sign of progress would be a bowling group that adjusts to what the batter is actually doing.

What to compare when the teams meet again

Keep a short note after the first meeting: who controlled the new ball, which middle-over matchup mattered, and where runs came late in the innings. Return to that note during the rematch. A useful series review should explain the adjustments—changes in strike rotation, bowling lengths or field placements—rather than retelling the scorecard.

Follow our fixtures and scores page for available match information and explore the cricket section for further reading.

Frequently asked questions

When is Pakistan vs England?

The league meetings are scheduled for 20 October in Rawalpindi and 25 October in Lahore.

When is the final?

The final is scheduled for 31 October at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The finalists depend on the league results.

Are these the confirmed playing XIs?

No. The lists above are announced tournament squads. Check the toss announcement for each match’s XI.

Does this article provide a live video stream?

This is a series guide. For live video, use one of the announced broadcasters or streaming providers listed above.

Source check: 17 October 2026. Fixtures: ECB; squad, timing and Pakistan broadcast information: PCB; UK and Ireland coverage: Sky. Tactical sections are Sportimeline’s original analysis. Send corrections through our feedback page.