England arrive in Pakistan for ODI tri-series starting 18 October
England’s cricket team landed in Islamabad on Friday for the England ODI tri-series Pakistan, a three-nation contest that also features hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The fortnight of 50-over cricket begins on Sunday, 18 October, with Pakistan taking on Sri Lanka in the opening match at Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi.
Officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) welcomed the visiting squad at the airport. England will hold their first training session at the Pindi Stadium on Saturday, a day before the tournament gets under way.
Harry Brook leads the 16-player England squad, which includes experienced names such as Joe Root, Adil Rashid, Sam Curran and Ben Duckett. The visitors arrived after a 2-1 home ODI series win over Sri Lanka last month, Geo Super reported.
England ODI tri-series Pakistan: full schedule and format
The tournament runs from 18 to 31 October under a double round-robin format. Each of the three sides plays the other two twice, and the two teams with the best record progress to the final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on 31 October.
The first three matches take place at Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi, before the action shifts to Lahore for the remaining four fixtures, including the final. The full schedule:
- 18 October: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka — Rawalpindi
- 20 October: Pakistan vs England — Rawalpindi
- 22 October: Sri Lanka vs England — Rawalpindi
- 25 October: Pakistan vs England — Lahore
- 27 October: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka — Lahore
- 29 October: Sri Lanka vs England — Lahore
- 31 October: Final — Lahore
With only two places available from the league stage, every match carries weight. A side that wins three of its four games can still miss out if net run rate turns against it, so the Lahore leg will likely decide the finalists. The trophy will be unveiled on 17 October, with Brook joined by Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis.
Form guide: Pakistan’s T20I series win over Sri Lanka
Pakistan enter the series with recent success against one of their opponents. The hosts beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in the T20I series played in Rawalpindi earlier this month, and they will look to carry that momentum into the 50-over format. Sri Lanka recovered well in that series, bouncing back to win the third T20I after losing the first two, so the rematch in coloured clothing is finely balanced.
England, meanwhile, have picked a squad that blends experience with new faces. Fast bowler Jofra Archer and former white-ball captain Jos Buttler are not part of the touring party, with Buttler sidelined by a hamstring injury according to Geo Super. Leg-spinner Mason Crane has earned his first ODI call-up.
The series also serves as early preparation for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, giving all three sides competitive one-day cricket months before the global event. Sri Lanka’s squad arrived in Pakistan earlier this week and has been training at the Pindi Stadium, while Pakistan continued their home build-up with training sessions in Rawalpindi ahead of the opener.
Key players to watch
For Pakistan, Babar Azam remains the batting anchor, with Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf central to their plans. Brook will lean on Root’s experience and Rashid’s spin, while Curran’s all-round skills give England balance in the middle overs. With recent one-day finals in the region going down to the wire, home supporters will expect another close contest. The first ball of the series is bowled on Sunday afternoon in Rawalpindi.
When does the ODI tri-series start?
The series begins on Sunday, 18 October, with Pakistan facing Sri Lanka at Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi.
Where will the tri-series matches be played?
The first three matches are in Rawalpindi. The remaining four, including the final on 31 October, are at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Who is captaining England in the tri-series?
Harry Brook leads England. Shaheen Shah Afridi captains Pakistan and Kusal Mendis captains Sri Lanka.
How does the double round-robin format work?
Each team plays the other two teams twice. The top two sides on the league table after the six group matches reach the final.
*Source: The Express Tribune | A-Sports*
