Pakistan face Sri Lanka in 5th ODI of Pakistan Tri-Series at Gaddafi Stadium on October 27, 2026
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will meet in the fifth match of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on October 27, 2026, with the contest due to start at 1:30 PM IST. Pakistan have already qualified for the final after a win over England in which Shadab Khan scored a century.
Sri Lanka head into the game needing a victory to secure a place in the final, while a defeat would leave them in danger of elimination; the fixture is a dead rubber for Pakistan and they could make changes to their playing XI. Sahibzada Farhan has been named as a replacement for Saim Ayub for the remainder of the tri-series. Across their meetings the two sides have played 161 ODIs: Pakistan 97 wins, Sri Lanka 59, with four no-results and one tie.
Conditions at Gaddafi Stadium are expected to be humid with a maximum temperature of 29°C and humidity around 35-40%. The surface typically offers a flat deck for batters but the previous match showed some grass and assistance for fast bowlers, and dew in the second innings may aid the chasing side. Fast bowlers are therefore likely to play a prominent role.
Pakistan’s bowling unit has been prolific in the tri-series, claiming 30 wickets in three games, and the team’s familiarity with local conditions is noted in the preview. Given the match has no bearing on Pakistan’s qualification, selection adjustments are possible ahead of the toss.
Sri Lanka enter the match buoyed by a record chase against England in their last game, but their bowling has been described as a concern during the tri-series. That vulnerability underpins the must-win label attached to their fixture against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s listed XI is Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (WK), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas, Shaheen Afridi (C), Haris Rauf, Razaullah. Sri Lanka’s listed XI is Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (C/WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka. Dream11 suggestions provided include wicket-keepers Saad Baig and Kusal Mendis; batters Babar Azam, Pavan Rathnayake, Avishka Fernando; and all-rounders Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyalage, Shadab Khan, Salman Agha, Arafat Minhas. Captain/vice-captain recommendations listed are: Captain First-Choice: Pavan Rathnayake || Captain Second-Choice: Kusal Mendis; Vice-Captain First-Choice: Babar Azam || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Salman Agha; and an alternate set Captain First-Choice: Arafat Minhas || Captain Second-Choice: Janith Liyalage; Vice-Captain First-Choice: Dasun Shanaka || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Avishka Fernando.
Khel Now’s preview backs Pakistan to win the 5th ODI on October 27, 2026, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; for Sri Lanka a victory would push them into the final while a loss would put their tournament survival at risk.
