Two Tests, ten days of cricket, and World Test Championship points at stake: Pakistan host Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series on 9–13 November (Rawalpindi) and 17–21 November 2026 (Lahore). This is your complete guide to following the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test series live — dates, venues, timings, squads, streaming and the WTC picture.
Quick answer: The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test series 2026: 1st Test 9–13 Nov at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, 2nd Test 17–21 Nov at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore. Both start 10:00 AM PKT and count towards the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27. Watch live on PTV Sports (TV) and Tapmad (streaming) in Pakistan.
In this guide
Dates, Venues and Session Timings
- 1st Test: 9–13 November 2026, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
- 2nd Test: 17–21 November 2026, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Daily start: 10:00 AM Pakistan time (9:00 AM UAE / 10:30 AM India & Sri Lanka)
- Warm-up: Sri Lanka play a three-day match in Islamabad, 4–6 November (not an international)
Typical Test session timings in Pakistan: morning session 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, afternoon 12:40–2:40 PM, evening 3:00–5:00 PM PKT, with lunch and tea intervals. Day-night adjustments don’t apply — these are traditional day Tests.
How to Watch Live
In Pakistan: PTV Sports on television (free-to-air) and Tapmad plus the PCB’s official digital platforms for streaming. Tests reward the patient viewer — five days, three sessions a day — so set up your stream before the 10:00 AM start rather than scrambling at the toss. For the white-ball legs of the tour, see our live streaming guide.
Squads and Captains
Sri Lanka will be led by Kusal Mendis, who took over the Test captaincy after Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down on 8 October 2026 — a significant leadership change weeks before the series. Pakistan’s Test squad had not been named as of 11 October 2026; the PCB typically announces it a week or so before the first Test. This page will be updated when squads are confirmed. Pakistan’s T20I side on this tour is captained by Sahibzada Farhan, signalling a youth-driven rebuild across formats.
The WTC Stakes
Both Tests are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27. The context is stark for Pakistan: as of 10 October 2026 they sit last in the nine-team table on 4.63%, after a difficult cycle that included a drawn home series against South Africa (1-1). Sri Lanka, meanwhile, arrive with a new Test captain and a chance to bank away points. For Pakistan, this series is about stopping the slide; for Sri Lanka, about capitalising on it.
Recent History Between the Sides
Sri Lanka’s last Test tour of Pakistan was in 2019: Pakistan won the two-match series 1-0, though Sri Lanka swept the T20Is 3-0 on the same trip. In the most recent white-ball meeting before this tour — the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup — Pakistan edged Sri Lanka by 5 runs in a Kandy thriller. The rivalry is competitive, and home advantage has historically mattered: Pakistan’s 2019 win came on the back of strong home performances. Whether Rawalpindi and Lahore pitches offer the hosts an edge in November is the series’ central tactical question. For ball-by-ball follow options, see how to follow the series live.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test series 2026?
1st Test: 9–13 November 2026 in Rawalpindi. 2nd Test: 17–21 November 2026 in Lahore. Both start at 10:00 AM Pakistan time.
Where can I watch the Pak vs SL Tests live?
In Pakistan: PTV Sports (TV, free-to-air) and Tapmad plus PCB digital platforms (streaming).
Do the Tests count for the World Test Championship?
Yes. Both are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27. Pakistan are currently last in the table; Sri Lanka can climb with away wins.
Who is Sri Lanka’s Test captain for the 2026 tour?
Kusal Mendis, appointed after Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down on 8 October 2026.
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