Pakistan vs Australia T20I Series 2026 Schedule Confirmed

Get ready, cricket fans! The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially locked in the schedule for the three T20Is against Australia in Lahore later this month. Think of it as a warm-up for both teams before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, starting February 7th. All the action will be at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium over four days, with games on January 29th and 31st, and February 1st, 2026. Both teams have some injuries and are figuring out their best squads, so this is their chance to get it right before the big tournament.

Aussies Arriving with Injury Worries

The Australian team is landing in Lahore on January 28th, the day before the first match. They’re coming without some big names – Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Tim David are all recovering from injuries. This series is a good chance for the Aussie coaches to see what their back-up players can do and tweak their plans. Pakistan has its own problems. Shaheen Shah Afridi is out with a thumb injury from the Big Bash League. The team will be trying to find the best mix of players and work out who should be in the T20 World Cup team, especially in the bowling department.

Match Dates and Times

Here’s the schedule for the three T20Is in Lahore:

• First T20I: Thursday, January 29th – 6:00 PM PKT
• Second T20I: Saturday, January 31st – 6:00 PM PKT
• Third T20I: Sunday, February 1st – 6:00 PM PKT

The coin toss is at 5:30 PM PKT before each game, and the first ball is at 6:00 PM. With the games so close together, the teams will have to be careful with how much the players play, which should give some new guys a chance to shine.

World Cup Prep

This T20I series is seriously important practice for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan is in Group A, with their matches in Sri Lanka. Australia is in Group B, and they’ll be using this tour to get used to the conditions over here and get their tactics right. It’s a great opportunity for players to get some match experience, get used to the pitches, and get confident under pressure. With the World Cup coming up fast, expect both teams to put out strong teams but also try out some different players and lineups.

Rivals Reunited

This tour is Australia’s first time back in Pakistan since March-April 2022. Back then, they played three Tests, three ODIs, and one T20I at Gaddafi Stadium. Australia won that T20I by just three wickets. Since then, Australia has played some matches in Pakistan, including three ICC Champions Trophy 2025 games. They know Gaddafi Stadium pretty well, which is an advantage. But Pakistan has the home crowd behind them and has played a lot of T20 cricket recently, so it should be a good contest. The crowd will really help Pakistan, who want to start 2026 with a big series win.

PCB Boss Excited

Sumair Ahmed Syed, the PCB’s COO, said he was happy to have Australia over and called the series a big deal for Pakistani cricket fans. He said, “We’re excited to have Australia here for these three T20Is in Lahore. It’s a cracking way to start the year for Pakistan cricket fans, and I hope they come out to support both teams as they get ready for the T20 World Cup. The Australian team must feel at home at Gaddafi Stadium since they’ve been here a few times since March 2022.” Syed said the series is not just good for the fans but also a chance for the teams to get ready technically. Lots of Pakistan cricket fans are expected at the stadium, which should make the series a great showcase for international cricket in Pakistan.

How They’re Doing

Pakistan is coming off a tied T20I series in Sri Lanka, while Australia crushed England 4-1 in the Ashes Test series, showing how good they are in all formats. Both teams have injuries, but they’re both keen to get some wins and build some momentum before the World Cup. Some new players will probably get a chance to play, and the coaches will be watching closely to see how everyone performs under pressure.

Looking Ahead

Expect some intense cricket in these three T20Is, with good tactics and hopefully some great performances as Pakistan and Australia get their teams ready. Fans can expect some big hitting, good fielding, and competitive bowling under the lights at Gaddafi Stadium. This series is great practice for the T20 World Cup 2026, and it shows that Lahore is still a top place for international cricket in Pakistan. Both teams have injury problems and are trying out different combinations, so every game should be exciting for the fans.