Pakistan to host Australia for three T20Is ahead of T20 World Cup

Pakistan and Australia will play a three-match Twenty20 series in Lahore as part of their final preparations for next month’s cricket T20 World Cup.

Gaddafi Stadium will host the three games on Jan. 29, 31 and Feb. 1 before India and Sri Lanka co-host the T20 World Cup from Feb.7-March 8.

Australia's T20I squad will arrive in Lahore on Jan.28. The series provides crucial game time for both sides ahead of the all-important ICC Men's T20I World Cup 2026.

"The tour marks a blockbuster beginning of the year for Pakistan cricket fans,” Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Sumair Ahmed Syed said on Wednesday.

"I urge them (fans) to turn out in numbers during the series to support both the teams as they put final touches to their T20 World Cup preparations.”

This will also be Australia's third visit to Pakistan since March-April 2022, when they played a three-match Test and ODI series, followed by a solitary T20I.

They also played three of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches in the country. Australia secured a close three-wicket win in the only T20I they played at Gaddafi Stadium in 2022.

"I'm sure the Gaddafi Stadium has become a familiar sight for the Australian cricket team, as they have played a Test, five ODIs and a T20I here since March 2022," Sumair added.

Pakistan are in Group A and will play all its World Cup games in Sri Lanka. Australia is in Group B and will play all its group games also in Sri Lanka.

Agencies