As the final countdown ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 starts Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) locked in a high-octane home series to sharpen the team’s competitive edge. Starting January 29 “Men in Green” will host a three-match T20I series against Australia in Lahore, serving as the final dress rehearsal for both nations.
The hosts are trying to finalize their combination under the guidance of the captain Salman Ali Aghavisitors use the tour to test bench strength against subcontinental spin. With both sides currently facing significant injury setbacks to their top fast bowlers, the tactical focus has shifted entirely to fit and depth. The series marks the start of the year for fans, offering a final look at the teams before they head to the 20-team global tournament in February.
Pakistan vs Australia T20I Series Schedule
The PCB has officially confirmed that it will come to Lahore on January 28 for the three-match T20I series at Gaddafi Stadium, Australia on January 14, 2026. This is Australia’s third visit to Pakistan since 2022 and provides a critical platform for both sides to finalize their 15-man squads for the World Cup. All three matches will be played in the evening under lights:
T20I Series Table
| Encounter | History | Location | Team (PKT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Thursday, January 29 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 18:00 |
| 2nd T20I | Saturday, January 31 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 18:00 |
| 3rd T20I | Sunday, February 1 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 18:00 |
Injury crisis: Key stars in both camps are out
The upcoming series will be a battle of bench strength as both Pakistan and Australia have lost their spearheads to recent injuries. of Pakistan Shaheen Shah Afridi is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the High Performance Center in Lahore after suffering a knee injury. Big Bash League (BBL) stint with Brisbane Heat. Likewise, Australia will be without Pat Cummins (back stress), Josh Hazlewood (Achilles) and power hitter Tim David (hamstring), all racing against time to be fit for the World Cup opener on February 11. These gaps leave both teams struggling to find reliable death options on Lahore’s flat, high-scoring tracks.
Head-to-head: Australia dominates Pakistan
Historically, Australia have enjoyed significant success at Gaddafi Stadium, which has become a “familiar sight” for visiting visitors. In the most recent T20I encounter in Lahore on 5 April 2022, Australia took a narrow three-wicket victory in the final thriller. Overall, Australia lead the T20 record against Pakistan 13 to 14 winsBy dominating recent encounters, including a 3-0 clean sweep in late 2024. Salman Ali Agha‘s men, this series is a chance to break that losing streak and build momentum before they face a tough World Cup Group A that includes India and the USA.
