Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I 2026: Live Score, Streaming, Predicted XIs & Pitch Report

The first T20I of the Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka 2025-26 bowls off today, 7 January 2026, at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, with the action scheduled to start at 1:30 PM UTC (7:00 PM IST) according to the official itinerary. Demand for “SL vs PAK live” updates has surged overnight, and cricket fans are keen to see whether the hosts can halt Pakistan’s recent dominance. Match overview • Fixture: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st T20I • Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla • Date & time: Wednesday, 7 Jan 2026, 1:30 PM UTC / 7:00 PM IST • Live streaming/TV: Sony Sports Network & SonyLIV (India), PTV Sports (Pakistan), Dialog TV (Sri Lanka), ICC.tv in select regions. Search “SL vs PAK live streaming” in your territory for local options. Current form & head-to-head Pakistan lead the last five T20I meetings 3-2, powered by Babar Azam’s consistency at the top and Shaheen Afridi’s new-ball bursts. Sri Lanka, however, won their previous T20I in Dambulla by six runs in 2025 and have won three of their last four home T20Is. Players to watch Sri Lanka: • Wanindu Hasaranga – No. 2 in ICC T20I bowling rankings, master of the googly. • Pathum Nissanka – 321 runs at 35.6 in his last 10 T20Is. Pakistan: • Babar Azam – averaging 49.8 in the format since 2025. • Iftikhar Ahmed – strike rate 160+ in death overs, ideal finisher. Pitch & weather report The Dambulla strip usually offers even bounce early, then slows down. Expect scores around 165. Afternoon showers are forecast but a dedicated drainage system should minimise delays; humidity will hover near 78 %. Probable playing XIs Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera. Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Aamer Jamshaid, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed. Fantasy/Dream11 tips Captain choices: Babar Azam, Wanindu Hasaranga Differentials: Saim Ayub for powerplay runs, Theekshana for middle-overs wickets. Suggested combo: 1-5-2-3 (WK-BAT-AR-BOWL). Prediction If Pakistan bat first and cross 170, their pace trio of Shaheen, Rauf and Shadab should defend comfortably. Anything under 155 swings the advantage to Sri Lanka’s spinners. Expect a tight finish with Pakistan slight favourites (55-45). SEO key phrases integrated: SL vs PAK live, Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st T20I, SL vs PAK Dream11 prediction, SL vs PAK playing XI, SL vs PAK pitch report, SL vs PAK live streaming.