Sri Lanka's players arrive in Pakistan ahead of T20I series

Sri Lanka's first contingent arrived in Islamabad on Sunday ahead of a three-match Twenty20 International Series against Pakistan, with the visitors set to complete their preparations for the opening game on Friday. The 13-member group included eight players from Sri Lanka's T20 squad and five team management officials. The T20 captain Kusal Mendis, former captain Dasun Shanaka, spinner Maheesh Theekshana and fast bowler Eshan Malinga were among the players who arrived, along with Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Dunith Wellalage. Sri Lanka's head coach, two players and two other officials are due to arrive on Monday, while the remaining five members of the T20 squad are expected to reach Islamabad on Tuesday. The three-match T20 series will be played entirely at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with the first match on October 9, the second on October 11 and the third on October 13. The T20 series is the first part of Sri Lanka's multi-format tour of Pakistan. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England will then compete in a three-nation ODI series, with Pakistan facing Sri Lanka on October 18 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan playing England on October 20 in Rawalpindi, Sri Lanka meeting England on October 22 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan taking on England on October 25 in Lahore, Pakistan playing Sri Lanka on October 27 in Lahore and Sri Lanka facing England on October 29 in Lahore. The tri-series final is scheduled for October 31 in Lahore. Sri Lanka will then play a three-day match in Islamabad from November 4 to 6 before facing Pakistan in a two-Test series. The first Test is scheduled for November 9-13 in Rawalpindi and the second for November 17-21 in Lahore. The Test series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. T20 squad: Kusal Mendis (captain), Kamil Mishara, Sineth Jayawardena,  Lahiru Udara, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga.