November T20I Tri-Series: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially confirmed that the national men’s team will host Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in a T20I tri-series this November. The competition, which will be held across Rawalpindi and Lahore, is being viewed as an ideal preparation platform for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Tri-Series Overview
The T20I tri-series begins on 17 November 2025 with the home side Pakistan facing Afghanistan in the opener. The series will follow a double round-robin format, where all three teams play against each other twice before the grand finale.
- Opening Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (first two matches)
- Main Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (five league games + final)
This arrangement ensures a balance between cricketing tradition and modern facilities. Rawalpindi brings its vibrant atmosphere to kick off the event, while Lahore’s historic Gaddafi Stadium will be the central stage for the majority of fixtures, including the 29 November final.
Why This Series Matters
This tri-nation event comes at a crucial juncture, offering all three sides an opportunity to experiment with lineups and strategies ahead of the T20 World Cup in India in 2026.
- Pakistan will aim to finalize their middle-order balance and death bowling options.
- Afghanistan, under Rashid Khan’s leadership, will focus on strengthening their batting depth to complement their world-class spin attack.
- Sri Lanka will use the series to test their young crop of fast bowlers and rising all-rounders.
PCB COO Sumair Ahmed emphasized the significance of the series, saying:
“We look forward to hosting Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for Pakistan’s maiden T20I tri-series. This event will not only offer excellent preparation for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, but also present fans with exciting cricket across venues.”
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Full Schedule of Pakistan Tri-Series 2025
Here’s the complete fixture list:
- 17 Nov – Pakistan vs Afghanistan (Rawalpindi)
- 19 Nov – Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (Rawalpindi)
- 22 Nov – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Lahore)
- 23 Nov – Pakistan vs Afghanistan (Lahore)
- 25 Nov – Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (Lahore)
- 27 Nov – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Lahore)
- 29 Nov – Final (Lahore)
A Historic First for Afghanistan in Pakistan
Interestingly, while Afghanistan has previously played international matches in Pakistan during multinational tournaments such as the Asia Cup and ICC Champions Trophy 2025, this will mark their first-ever bilateral T20I contest against Pakistan on Pakistani soil.
This adds historical significance to the series, as fans will witness a fresh chapter in Pakistan-Afghanistan cricketing ties. The Rawalpindi opener is expected to draw massive crowds, given the growing fan base for Afghan cricket in the region.
How the Tri-Series Came About
Originally, Pakistan was set to play a bilateral ODI and T20I series with Sri Lanka later this year. While the ODI leg remains unchanged, the T20I matches were reshaped into a tri-series format with Afghanistan’s inclusion.
This decision adds competitive variety and international exposure, ensuring all three teams get to test themselves under different conditions. It also reflects PCB’s efforts to maximize cricketing opportunities ahead of a World Cup year.
Recent Rivalries and Build-Up
Pakistan and Afghanistan have already squared off this year in another T20I tri-series in the UAE, where both teams managed to reach the final. That contest, scheduled for September 7, 2025, further underscores the rising intensity of their rivalry.
- Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Shaheen Afridi, has consistently troubled Afghan batters.
- Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad remain a threat on turning tracks.
- Sri Lanka, the dark horse, has a history of upsetting big teams in T20 formats and will be keen to reclaim their glory.
With such evenly matched sides, the Pakistan-hosted tri-series is expected to be fiercely competitive.
What to Watch Out For
Cricket fans should keep an eye on:
- Pakistan’s batting order shuffle – Who secures the crucial No. 4 spot?
- Afghanistan’s opening partnerships – Can they provide stability against quality pace?
- Sri Lanka’s young bowlers – How they adapt to flat subcontinental tracks will be critical.
The tri-series also gives selectors a chance to assess bench strength. With World Cup squads often requiring 15-strong contingents, fringe players have a golden opportunity to push their case.
Final Word
The upcoming Pakistan-Afghanistan-Sri Lanka T20I tri-series is much more than just another cricket tournament. It’s a dress rehearsal for the 2026 T20 World Cup, a chance for teams to fine-tune their squads, and a historic milestone with Afghanistan finally playing Pakistan in Pakistan.
Fans in Rawalpindi and Lahore can expect packed stands, electrifying rivalries, and the kind of unpredictable cricket that makes the T20 format so thrilling. With three passionate cricketing nations colliding, November 2025 is shaping up to be a month of unforgettable cricket in Pakistan.
