The Pakistan national cricket team arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday evening ahead of a three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka.
Pakistani players Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, pacers Mohammad Wasim, Salman Mirza, and Naseem Shah, along with Fakhar Zaman and Usman Tariq, arrived in Colombo in two batches, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson, bowling coach Ashley Noffke, the fielding coach, and other members of the support staff have also arrived in the island nation.
The squad landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport at around 5 p.m., where they received a warm welcome. Officials from Sri Lanka Cricket were present at the airport to receive the team.
Representatives from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau also participated in the reception.
Following their arrival, the Pakistan team departed for Dambulla, where the T20I series will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. The matches are scheduled for January 7, 9, and 11, 2026.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan are set to contest the three-match series as part of their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket announced that the Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka will be dedicated to promoting the government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ programme. Several initiatives will be carried out during the series to raise public awareness of the programme.
As part of these efforts, profits generated from the Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka will be donated to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka initiative. In addition, Sri Lanka Cricket will promote the #VisitSriLanka hashtag at match venues to showcase the country to a global audience.
The T20I series begins on Wednesday and concludes on January 11.