Pakistan host Australia in T20 World Cup build-up

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed the schedule for their upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia in Lahore, as both sides sharpen their unit for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Three fixtures will take place across four days at Gaddafi Stadium on January 29 and 31, and February 1 2026.

Australia’s touring squad is due to arrive in Lahore on 28 January.

The series marks a key opportunity for both teams to finalise combinations and acclimatise before heading into the tournament in India & Sri Lanka with both teams facing issues with injuries.

Most notably, for Australia, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Tim David are all in their recovery periods while Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi also sidelined due to an injury sustained while featuring in the Big Bash League.

Set to kick off just days after the home series, the T20 World Cup 2026 begins on 7 February, featuring 20 teams across multiple cities. Pakistan are placed in Group A and will play their fixtures in Sri Lanka, while Australia compete in Group B.

Sumair Ahmed Syed, COO of the PCB, welcomed the touring side and highlighted the series as a marquee event for Pakistan’s cricket fans.

“We are excited and look forward to hosting Australia for the three-match T20I series here in Lahore. The tour marks a blockbuster beginning of the year for Pakistan Cricket fans and I urge them to turn out in numbers during the series to support both the teams as they put final touches to their T20 World Cup preparations.”

The Australia tour represents a return visit to Pakistan’s shores following their last full tour in March-April 2022, which included three Tests, three ODIs and a lone T20I. That lone T20 encounter at Gaddafi Stadium in April 2022 was won narrowly by Australia, with the visitors also securing victory in the Test series but missing out on the ODI series to the hosts.

Pakistan come off a draw in their T20I series in Sri Lanka, while Australia secured a stunning 4-1 win in the Ashes Test series against England.

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