Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the third T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. The match is scheduled for 6:00 pm Pakistan time. Pakistan won the first two completed matches, but the final fantasy teams should wait for the toss and official XIs.
1 Match Preview
Pre-Toss Research: Checked on 12 October 2026. Only independently verified completed scorecards are counted in the samples below.
Pakistan lead the three-match series 2-0. They won the first T20I by four wickets after scoring 187/6 in 18.5 overs against Sri Lanka’s 182/8. They then made 215/3 and won the second T20I by 82 runs after Sri Lanka finished on 133/7.
Sahibzada Farhan has made 89 and 73 in the two completed games. Maaz Sadaqat followed 50 with 96. Sri Lanka’s strongest recent batting evidence is Lahiru Udara’s 91 in the first match. These are completed-scorecard samples, not guarantees for the third game.
This is a pre-toss preview. The playing XIs, batting order, toss and final fantasy-app role tags are not confirmed at the research cutoff.
2 Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I |
| Date | Tuesday, 13 October 2026 |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| Start | 6:00 pm Pakistan time |
| IST | 6:30 pm |
| UTC | 1:00 pm |
| Series position | Pakistan lead 2-0 |
| Toss | Not confirmed before match day |
| Playing XIs | Not confirmed before match day |
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s current series release confirms the date, ground and 6:00 pm Pakistan start. The supplied 6:30 pm IST and 1:00 pm UTC times match that schedule.
3 Team Form
Pakistan Form
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 October 2026 | Sri Lanka | 187/6 in 18.5 overs | ✓ WIN by 4 wickets |
| 11 October 2026 | Sri Lanka | 215/3 in 20 overs | ✓ WIN by 82 runs |
Pakistan’s recent sample has both a successful chase and a strong first-innings total. Sahibzada Farhan scored 89 off 53 in the first match and 73 off 44 in the second. Maaz Sadaqat scored 50 off 29 and then 96 off 51. Naseem Shah took 3/36 in the first match.
Sri Lanka Form
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 October 2026 | Pakistan | 182/8 in 20 overs | ✕ LOSS by 4 wickets |
| 11 October 2026 | Pakistan | 133/7 in 20 overs | ✕ LOSS by 82 runs |
Sri Lanka have lost both completed games in this series. Lahiru Udara’s 91 off 55 was a clear positive in the opener. The second scorecard shows Sri Lanka made 133/7, so the batting group needs a stronger total or a better start with the ball.
4 Pitch Report And Fantasy Impact
The available Rawalpindi T20 venue record is a historical, stale 17-match snapshot. Cricbuzz lists an average first-innings score of 146 and an average second-innings score of 144. Teams batting first have won four matches, while teams bowling first have won 11. The snapshot’s highest-total field is omitted here because the completed second T20I at the same ground reached 215/3, proving that 195/5 is not a current all-time-high claim.
The two completed matches in this series produced 182/8 and 187/6 in the first game, followed by 215/3 and 133/7 in the second. That small 2026 sample has included both a competitive chase and a high Pakistan total. It supports selecting top-order batters, but it does not prove that the third pitch will play the same way.
For fantasy planning, keep a mix of top-order batters and bowlers expected to complete their spells. Treat spin as a matchup option rather than a guaranteed pitch pattern. Do not make a dew or toss prediction before match day.
5 Head-To-Head
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s 8 October release cited an 18-12 overall T20I count before this series. That pre-series historical snapshot should not be presented as the current overall head-to-head after Pakistan’s two wins here.
In the current 2026 series, Pakistan have won both completed meetings: 187/6 against 182/8 on 9 October and 215/3 against 133/7 on 11 October. There is no completed third-match result at this cutoff.
6 Probable Playing XIs — Not Confirmed
These are editorial candidates from the announced 15-player squads and the players used in the first two scorecards. They are not announced lineups. Check the official XI before selecting a fantasy team.
Pakistan Candidate XI
- Khawaja Nafay — wicketkeeper candidate
- Sahibzada Farhan — batter candidate
- Fakhar Zaman — batter candidate
- Hasan Nawaz — batter candidate
- Maaz Sadaqat — all-rounder candidate
- Saim Ayub — all-rounder candidate
- Shadab Khan — all-rounder candidate
- Naseem Shah — bowler candidate
- Abrar Ahmed — bowler candidate
- Mohammad Salman Mirza — bowler candidate
- Razaullah — bowler candidate
Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed appeared in the recent scorecards. Salman Mirza and Razaullah remain squad candidates. The official squad also includes Arafat Minhas, Abdul Samad and Muhammad Imran Randhawa, so the final XI can change.
Sri Lanka Candidate XI
- Kusal Mendis — wicketkeeper candidate
- Lahiru Udara — wicketkeeper-batter candidate
- Kamil Mishara — batter candidate
- Sineth Jayawardena — batter candidate
- Kamindu Mendis — all-rounder candidate
- Dasun Shanaka — all-rounder candidate
- Sahan Arachchige — all-rounder candidate
- Maheesh Theekshana — bowler candidate
- Dushmantha Chameera — bowler candidate
- Eshan Malinga — bowler candidate
- Nuwan Thushara — bowler candidate
Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga and Nuwan Thushara appeared in the recent scorecard or announced squad. The two-keeper listing is selection-sensitive. Sri Lanka’s announced squad also includes Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Dunith Wellalage, Binura Fernando and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.
7 Six Dream11 Scenario Teams
Team 1: Balanced Core
A balanced build around the two completed matches: one keeper, top-order run-makers, and bowlers with a clear four-over path from both sides.
| Role | Selected Players |
|---|---|
| WK | Kusal Mendis |
| BAT | Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Kamil Mishara |
| AR | Maaz Sadaqat, Kamindu Mendis |
| BOWL | Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga |
Captain: Sahibzada Farhan · Vice-Captain: Maaz Sadaqat
Risk: It leans on recent batting evidence and assumes both sides use their main bowlers.
Team 2: Pakistan Powerplay Chase
If Pakistan chase again, stack their aggressive top order and use Sri Lanka wicket-takers as the counter-script.
| Role | Selected Players |
|---|---|
| WK | Kusal Mendis |
| BAT | Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Sineth Jayawardena |
| AR | Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan |
| BOWL | Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana |
Captain: Fakhar Zaman · Vice-Captain: Naseem Shah
Risk: Fakhar’s upside depends on an opening role and Pakistan getting a chase; confirm the XI.
Team 3: Sri Lanka Top-Order Response
If Sri Lanka’s top order converts its starts, favour one keeper and batting core while retaining Pakistan’s strike pace.
| Role | Selected Players |
|---|---|
| WK | Kusal Mendis |
| BAT | Kamil Mishara, Sineth Jayawardena, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman |
| AR | Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka |
| BOWL | Naseem Shah, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Abrar Ahmed |
Captain: Kusal Mendis · Vice-Captain: Kamindu Mendis
Risk: This is conditional on Sri Lanka surviving Pakistan’s new-ball attack; Kusal’s batting position and wicketkeeping workload remain selection-sensitive.
Team 4: Spin And Grip
If the surface rewards slower bowling and middle-over control, load up on spin options and multi-skill players from both sides.
| Role | Selected Players |
|---|---|
| WK | Khawaja Nafay |
| BAT | Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Nawaz, Kamil Mishara, Fakhar Zaman |
| AR | Saim Ayub, Kamindu Mendis |
| BOWL | Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Moqim, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage |
Captain: Abrar Ahmed · Vice-Captain: Kamindu Mendis
Risk: Spin value falls if the pitch is flat and the first innings becomes a high-tempo powerplay game.
Team 5: Sri Lanka Pace Upset
If Sri Lanka’s seamers strike early and defend a modest total, pair their pace group with Pakistan’s chase-resistant batters.
| Role | Selected Players |
|---|---|
| WK | Kusal Mendis |
| BAT | Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Abdul Samad |
| AR | Maaz Sadaqat, Dasun Shanaka |
| BOWL | Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Naseem Shah |
Captain: Dushmantha Chameera · Vice-Captain: Hasan Nawaz
Risk: The script needs early Sri Lankan wickets; four-over allocation must be checked after the toss.
Team 6: Pakistan Bowling Defence
If Pakistan defend another big first-innings score, combine their batting anchors with a five-bowler attack and Sri Lankan support.
| Role | Selected Players |
|---|---|
| WK | Kusal Mendis |
| BAT | Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Kamil Mishara |
| AR | Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Sahan Arachchige |
| BOWL | Naseem Shah, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Salman Mirza |
Captain: Sahibzada Farhan · Vice-Captain: Naseem Shah
Risk: A bowling-heavy shape loses value if Pakistan bat second and the chase ends quickly.
These six provisional combinations use an editorial role map only. Check each player’s availability, app role, credit cost, team limit and official XI after the toss. Replace any non-starter with a confirmed player in the same role where possible.
8 Captain And Vice-Captain Choices
Sahibzada Farhan: He has scored 89 and 73 in the two completed matches. He is the strongest recent batting evidence in this fixture. The risk is a changed batting position or an early dismissal.
Maaz Sadaqat: He has scored 50 and 96, including the highest score in the second match. His all-rounder label can add flexibility, but his bowling contribution and final role must be checked in the app.
Naseem Shah: He took 3/36 in the first T20I and has a clear wicket-taking path when selected. His risk is that a flat pitch reduces the value of early movement.
Lahiru Udara: His 91 off 55 in the first match gives him a high-upside Sri Lanka script. The risk is selection and batting position after the second match.
On toss day, check the official XI first. Then confirm the wicketkeeper, opening pair, four-over bowlers, app roles and credits. Remove any player who is not in the XI.
9 Top 3 Player Battles
Pakistan’S Top Order Against Sri Lanka’S New Ball
Pakistan’s recent top-order batting evidence has been strong in the completed scorecards. Sri Lanka can turn this contest with early overs from Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara or Binura Fernando if selected. This is a conditional phase matchup, not a claim of a specific opener pair or direct record.
Maaz Sadaqat Against Sri Lanka’S Spin Options
Maaz Sadaqat scored 96 in the second match after making 50 in the first. Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets in the opener and one in the second match. Their contest may shape the middle overs if Maaz reaches the spin phase.
Lahiru Udara Against Pakistan’S Pace Attack
Udara’s 91 was Sri Lanka’s best individual score in the series so far. Naseem Shah took three wickets in the opener, while Pakistan also used Muhammad Imran, Razaullah and Abrar Ahmed. Udara’s ability to survive the early pace phase is a key conditional battle.
10 Top Players To Look Out For
Sahibzada Farhan: Two scores above 70 in this series. The risk is that a new match situation changes his opportunity.
Maaz Sadaqat: Fifty and 96 in the two completed scorecards. His final bowling involvement is not confirmed.
Naseem Shah: Three wickets in the first T20I. He remains a pace option if selected and given his expected overs.
Lahiru Udara: Ninety-one off 55 in the opener. He needs a confirmed place and a stable batting role.
Maheesh Theekshana: He has taken wickets in both completed matches. His economy and impact can change with the innings matchup.
11 Match Winner Prediction
Pakistan are the modest pre-toss lean because they lead the series 2-0 and have won both completed matches at this ground. Their recent batting evidence is stronger, with 187/6 and 215/3. Sri Lanka can still change the contest if its top order improves on the second match’s 133/7 and its seamers take early wickets.
This is a qualified editorial lean, not a certainty. The official XI and toss can materially change the fantasy balance.
For more pre-match guides, visit our Dream11 Predictions section.
12 FAQs
When Is Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I?
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, 13 October 2026. It starts at 6:00 pm Pakistan time, 6:30 pm IST and 1:00 pm UTC.
Where Is The Match Being Played?
The match is scheduled at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
Who Leads The Series?
Pakistan lead 2-0 after wins by four wickets and 82 runs in the first two completed T20Is.
Are The Playing XIs Confirmed?
No. The candidate XIs in this preview are not confirmed. Check the official team sheets after the toss.
Who Are The Recent Fantasy Standouts?
Sahibzada Farhan scored 89 and 73. Maaz Sadaqat scored 50 and 96. Lahiru Udara scored 91 in the first match, and Naseem Shah took 3/36 in that game.
What Does The Rawalpindi T20 Record Show?
The available venue sample covers 17 T20 matches. It lists average scores of 146 in the first innings and 144 in the second, with 11 wins for teams bowling first and four wins for teams batting first. This is historical venue evidence, not a guarantee for this match.
