Australia & Pakistan to clash ahead of T20 World Cup 2026; Know full schedule here
Australia will tour Pakistan for a three-match T20I series ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the schedule for a highly anticipated three-match T20I series against Australia, set to take place later this month in Lahore.
This short but intense bilateral series will serve as a crucial final warm-up for both teams ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7 across India and Sri Lanka. All three matches will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and will be held in the evening to suit both fans and players.
The Australian T20I squad is scheduled to arrive in Lahore on January 28, just a day before the series opener. The toss for each game will occur at 5:30 PM PKT, with the first ball bowled at 6:00 PM PKT.
PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed expressed great enthusiasm about the tour, calling it a “blockbuster beginning” to 2026 for Pakistani cricket fans. He urged supporters to pack the stadium and cheer for both sides as they fine-tune their preparations.
Syed also highlighted that the Gaddafi Stadium has become a familiar venue for the Australians, having hosted a Test, five ODIs, and one T20I since Australia’s historic return tour in March 2022. In that lone T20I at the ground (April 2022), Australia secured a thrilling three-wicket victory.
Pakistan and Australia are placed in different groups in the T20 World Cup, with Pakistan in Group A (with India, Netherlands, Namibia, and USA), while Australia are in Group B (alongside Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman).
The matches will allow both teams to test combinations, experiment with strategies, and build momentum under real match conditions before the global showpiece.
Matches between these two cricketing powerhouses in T20Is have always been closely contested, with Australia holding a slight edge. Australia have won 14 encounters, while Pakistan have won 12, with one match ending in a tie and another having no result.
Series Schedule
- 1st T20I: Thursday, January 29, 2026 – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 2nd T20I: Saturday, January 31, 2026 – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 3rd T20I: Sunday, February 1, 2026 – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
When and where will the Pakistan vs Australia T20I series 2026 take place?
All three matches will be held at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on January 29 (1st T20I), January 31 (2nd T20I), and February 1 (3rd T20I), 2026, with evening starts (6:00 PM PKT).
Why is this series important for both teams?
It serves as a key preparation and warm-up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (starting February 7 in India and Sri Lanka), allowing both sides to test combinations and build form under match conditions.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.