Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead his side in the ODI tri-series against England and Sri Lanka as the teams prepare for next year’s World Cup.

Pakistan Host England Sri Lanka in World Cup Preparation Tri-Series

Pakistan Open Tri-Series Against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Sunday

By News Desk On Oct 17, 2026

RAWALPINDI: (Mudassar Iqbal) – Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka will begin a one-day international (ODI) tri-series in Rawalpindi on Sunday as all three teams step up preparations for next year’s 50-over World Cup.

With the global tournament, to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, less than a year away, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has described the series as an important opportunity to prepare for the competition.

“It will be important we do well as the focus will be on the World Cup and we need to get good preparations,” Shaheen said ahead of Pakistan’s opening match against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

All three participating teams have previously won the ODI World Cup, but their recent performances have been mixed. Pakistan, champions in 1992, have not reached the semi-finals since 2011 and finished fifth at the 2023 World Cup in India.

England lifted the trophy on home soil in 2019 but endured a disappointing campaign in 2023, finishing seventh. Sri Lanka, who won the title in 1996, also struggled at the previous tournament.

Pakistan will welcome the return of star batter Babar Azam, who was left out of the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka. Pakistan won that series 2-1 last week.

England captain Harry Brook said the tri-series would provide valuable preparation against two strong opponents. England are scheduled to face Pakistan on Tuesday.

“It’s a great opportunity against two very strong sides and will hold us in good stead, and if we play the final it will show us where we stand,” Brook said.

England will be without star batter Jos Buttler, who is injured, and fast bowler Jofra Archer, who has been rested. However, the team enters the competition after winning three consecutive ODI series, including two against Sri Lanka and one against India.

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis also expressed optimism about his team’s progress ahead of the World Cup.

“We have plans in place (towards the World Cup) and I hope the team shows some good progress,” Mendis said.

Each team will face the other two sides twice in the league stage, with the top two teams advancing to the final scheduled for October 31 in Lahore.

ODI Tri-Series Schedule

October 18: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka — Rawalpindi
October 20: Pakistan vs England — Rawalpindi
October 22: England vs Sri Lanka — Rawalpindi
October 25: Pakistan vs England — Lahore
October 27: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka — Lahore
October 29: England vs Sri Lanka — Lahore
October 31: Final — Lahore