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As the final countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 begins, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has locked in a high-octane home series to sharpen the team’s competitive edge. Starting January 29, the ‘Men in Green’ will host a three-match T20I series against Australia in Lahore, serving as the ultimate dress rehearsal for both nations.
While the hosts are looking to finalize their combinations under captain Salman Ali Agha, the visitors are using the tour to test their bench strength against subcontinental spin. With both sides currently dealing with significant injury setbacks to their premier fast bowlers, the tactical focus has shifted entirely to adaptability and depth. This series marks a blockbuster beginning to the year for fans, providing a final glimpse of the teams before they head into the 20-team global tournament in February.
Pakistan vs Australia T20I series schedule
The PCB officially confirmed on January 14, 2026, that Australia will arrive in Lahore on January 28 for a three-match T20I series at the Gaddafi Stadium. This marks Australia’s third trip 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 are scheduled as evening fixtures under lights:
T20I Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (PKT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Thursday, Jan 29 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 6:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | Saturday, Jan 31 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 6:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | Sunday, Feb 1 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 6:00 PM |
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Injury crisis: Key stars sidelined for both camps
The upcoming series will be a battle of bench strength as both Pakistan and Australia have lost their spearheads to recent injuries. Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the High Performance Centre in Lahore after sustaining a knee injury during his Big Bash League (BBL) stint with the Brisbane Heat. Similarly, Australia will be without Pat Cummins (lumbar stress), Josh Hazlewood (Achilles), and power-hitter Tim David (hamstring), all of whom are racing against time to be fit for the World Cup opener on February 11. These absences leave both teams scrambling to find reliable death-over options on the flat, high-scoring tracks of Lahore.
Head-to-Head: Australia holds the edge against Pakistan
Historically, Australia have enjoyed significant success at the Gaddafi Stadium, a venue that has become a ‘familiar sight’ for the touring side. In their most recent T20I encounter in Lahore on April 5, 2022 Australia secured a narrow three-wicket victory in a final-over thriller. Overall, Australia leads the head-to-head T20 record against Pakistan with 14 wins to 13, having dominated recent encounters including a 3-0 clean sweep in late 2024. For Salman Ali Agha‘s men, this series is a chance to break that losing streak and build momentum before facing a tough World Cup Group A that includes India and the USA.
