Confident Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in 2nd T20I match tonight
The second T20I of the three-match cricket series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played in Dambulla tonight with visitors feeling more confident after outclassing the hosts in the first match, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel.
The match will start at 6:30 pm Pakistan Standard Time (PST). Pakistan leads the series one-nil.
Pakistan are likely to stick with the winning combination after the opener, including spin options in Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz that could be handy on the slower Dambulla surface.
The touring squad doesn’t include some big stars such as Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi due to overlapping T20 leagues, but has mix of experienced and upcoming players for World Cup preparation.
Sri Lanka named an 18-member squad, giving them depth especially with all-round and spin options for Dambulla’s conditions that tends to assist spinners.
Additional all-round options or bench players like Dushan Hemantha (all-rounder) are part of the extended pool from the 18-man squad, allowing for rotations across the series.
On January 7, 2026, Pakistan opened their T20I series against Sri Lanka with a convincing six-wicket victory in the first match at Dambulla, chasing down a modest target with 20 balls to spare.
Set 129 to win, Pakistan reached the target in 16.4 overs, finishing on 129 for four. Opener Sahibzada Farhan anchored the chase with a fluent 51 off 36 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes. He was well supported by Saim Ayub, who scored 24 off 18 deliveries, while Shadab Khan provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 18 off 12 balls.
Pakistan’s bowlers put in a disciplined performance to restrict Sri Lanka to 128 all out in 19.2 overs.
Janith Liyanage was the top scorer for the hosts with 40 off 31 balls, while Michael Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Dhananjaya de Silva failed to convert their starts.
Salman Mirza starred with the ball for Pakistan, claiming three wickets for 18 runs, while Abrar Ahmed picked up three for 25. Shadab Khan also made an impact, taking two wickets for 25 runs.
Shadab was named player of the match for his all-round performance, finishing with figures of two for 25 and contributing valuable late runs with the bat.
All-round Shadab shines on comeback as Pakistan win first T20I
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) January 7, 2026
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Pakistan predicted XI:
Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed
Reserve: Abdul Samad, Usman Tariq, Khawaja Nafay
Sri Lanka predicted XI:
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
Reserve: Traveen Mathew, Eshan Malinga, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana