Cricket fans in Pakistan are getting ready for some exciting T20 action, though with a slight change in the lineup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially confirmed that Zimbabwe will replace Afghanistan in the upcoming T20I tri-series, which will also feature Sri Lanka.
The tournament is scheduled to run from November 17 to 29 across two major Pakistani cities, Rawalpindi and Lahore.
This series isn’t just about entertainment; it’s designed as crucial preparation for all participating teams ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
So what’s the schedule looking like? Pakistan will kick things off by facing Zimbabwe in the opening match at Rawalpindi’s cricket stadium. The action continues on November 19 when Sri Lanka takes on Zimbabwe in what promises to be an interesting contest.
After the initial matches in Rawalpindi, the tournament will shift to Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium, which will host the remaining fixtures, including the highly anticipated final on November 29.
The change in teams comes after Afghanistan withdrew from the series earlier. While the PCB cited scheduling challenges as the official reason, the withdrawal comes at a time when cross-border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been running high, affecting various aspects of bilateral relations, including sports.
Despite the change, cricket enthusiasts in Pakistan are still excited about the series. Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka both bring competitive squads, ensuring the tournament will provide quality cricket and valuable match practice for all teams involved.
