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2nd T20I | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I Series 2026 | Rawalpindi | 11 October 2026
Pakistan’s pace group holds the edge heading into the second game on Sunday, 11 October. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Imran claimed five of the eight wickets Sri Lanka lost in the opener, and Imran did it at barely five runs an over. Sri Lanka still reached 182/8 in Rawalpindi behind Udara’s 91, yet none of their bowlers matched that control, which is why the hosts lead 1-0 and why the battle looks tilted their way. Form, fitness and conditions all point the same way.
Naseem Shah led the way in the opener with 3/36 from his four overs, and he made the key breakthroughs whenever Sri Lanka tried to accelerate. Imran was sharper still, taking 2/21 in four overs for an economy of 5.25, the cheapest spell of the match. Razaullah added a wicket for 30 runs from three overs, which gave the captain a third seamer he could trust. That balance gave Pakistan control during the middle overs.
The spin options were more mixed. Shadab Khan conceded 33 in three overs for one wicket, while Abrar Ahmed went wicketless and cost 36 from his four. Saim Ayub’s two overs for 17 and a wicket proved a handy extra, because they let the captain hold back a frontline bowler for the closing stages. Few teams get that kind of flexibility from part-timers.
Seven bowlers separate themselves in the first match, and the table shows how narrow some margins were. Imran’s 5.25 economy stands alone, with Eshan Malinga’s 8.60 the best on the Sri Lankan side. Naseem and Theekshana both went at nine an over, yet Naseem’s three wickets outweighed Theekshana’s two.
| Bowler | Team | Economy | Wickets |
| Naseem Shah | PAK | 9.00 | 3 |
| Mohammad Imran | PAK | 5.25 | 2 |
| Shadab Khan | PAK | 11.00 | 1 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | SL | 9.00 | 2 |
| Eshan Malinga | SL | 8.60 | 2 |
| Nuwan Thushara | SL | 10.66 | 1 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | SL | 13.33 | 1 |
Chameera is the clear weak spot at 13.33 an over for a single wicket, and Shadab at 11.00 is the Pakistani most at risk of losing his place. Thushara went at 10.66 for one scalp. If Sri Lanka want to stay in this contest, those expensive overs need fixing first.
Malinga ended with two wickets for 33 in 3.5 overs, which makes him the most dangerous seamer on the visiting side. Theekshana added two for 36 off a full quota of four, so Sri Lanka did find ways to take wickets even when the scoreboard was moving. Their problem was how many runs came with them.
Chameera’s three overs for 40 and Thushara’s three for 32 are the spells most likely to change, because Pakistan scored 187 in 18.5 overs and still had wickets in hand. Farhan struck 89, and Maaz Sadaqat 50, and neither man had to take big risks against the pacers in the middle overs. Sri Lanka need a different plan for the powerplay.
Rawalpindi’s T20I averages from ten matches read 138 for the team batting first and 147 for the side chasing, and those figures probably do not include the 9 October result. That gap shows why captains have been happy to chase here. Bowlers who hit the stumps and vary pace tend to survive better than those chasing only speed.
The second game starts at 6:00 pm local time, which is 7:00 pm in Bangladesh. That slot makes Imran’s accuracy and Naseem’s new-ball skill even more valuable. Expect Pakistan to stick with two spinners and three pacers, as they did in the opener. That settled combination is a real advantage.
Put it all together and Pakistan’s seamers deserve the edge. Naseem and Imran delivered both wickets and control, and the 187/6 total showed the batters could chase freely because the bowlers kept the target within reach. Sri Lanka’s pacers, by contrast, were costly. Pakistan therefore start as favourites to repeat the result.
Sri Lanka can narrow the gap if Malinga and Theekshana keep taking wickets and Chameera tightens his lines. Until then, anyone ranking the PAK vs SL T20I series 2026 bowling attack options will put Pakistan first, with Imran and Naseem leading the way.
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Who are the best bowlers in the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I series?
Naseem Shah and Mohammad Imran lead Pakistan, while Malinga and Theekshana lead Sri Lanka. All four took wickets in the 9 October opener, with Naseem and Imran claiming five between them.
Who has taken the most wickets in Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20Is?
Wanindu Hasaranga holds the record with 19 wickets in 10 matches. That tally stood as of 9 January 2026, before the current contest began.
Who is captaining Sri Lanka in the 2026 T20I series against Pakistan?
Kusal Mendis is leading Sri Lanka in this contest. His side posted 182/8 in the opener, with Udara scoring 91 off 55 balls.
What time does the 2nd T20I between Pakistan and Sri Lanka start?
The second T20I starts on 11 October at 6:00 pm PKT. That equals 6:30 pm in India and 7:00 pm in Bangladesh, so fans can plan accordingly.
What was the result of the first T20I between Pakistan and Sri Lanka?
Pakistan won the first T20I by four wickets on 9 October. They chased down 183 in 18.5 overs, with Farhan scoring 89 and Maaz Sadaqat adding 50.
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