Information checked: November 8, 2026, at 12:04 UTC (5:04 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time, PKT, UTC+05:00). This is a pre-match preview; the toss and playing XIs have not yet been confirmed.
Pakistan will host Sri Lanka in the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, November 9, 2026. The ICC lists the opening day's start for 9:30 a.m. in Rawalpindi, PKT (UTC+05:00), or 04:30 UTC. Scheduled through November 13, the match begins a two-Test series in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship. The latest verified development is Pakistan's November 7 squad expansion, while Sri Lanka have replaced injured opener Pathum Nissanka with Lahiru Udara.
As of this check, the fixture is still marked as upcoming by the ICC. There is no confirmed toss decision, match score, playing XI or result to report. Fans can follow verified match developments through the official ICC match center once play begins.
The contest is scheduled for November 9–13, 2026, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Pakistan does not observe daylight saving time, so its UTC+05:00 offset applies on the match date. The start below is the ICC's listed time for November 9; any weather-related delay or subsequent daily adjustment should be checked in the match center rather than assumed in advance.
| Fixture detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Match | Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka, First Test |
| Competition | 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan |
| Scheduled dates | Monday, November 9–Friday, November 13, 2026 |
| Listed opening start | November 9, 9:30 a.m. PKT (UTC+05:00) |
| UTC equivalent | November 9, 04:30 UTC |
| Current status | Upcoming; no toss or playing XIs confirmed |
The ICC World Test Championship fixture list confirms the 04:30 UTC start, and the Pakistan Cricket Board's official tour announcement confirms the five-day window and Rawalpindi venue. This is the opening Test, not a limited-overs match.
Pakistan's most recent official squad update, published by the ICC on November 7, added pace-bowling all-rounder Aamer Jamal, fast bowler Ali Shabbir, batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif and pacer Saqib Khan. Ali, Tayyab and Saqib received maiden international call-ups. Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal were released from the squad after earlier selection.
Babar Azam is Pakistan's named Test captain. Other members of the updated squad include Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Abbas, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman, Razaullah and wicketkeeping options Mohammad Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig. Squad selection does not guarantee a place in the final eleven.
The newer additions create options across the attack and batting order. Jamal offers seam bowling and lower-order runs, while the selectors can weigh domestic form against the specific conditions on the morning of the match. According to the ICC's November 7 report, Tayyab scored 727 runs in seven first-class matches, and Saqib took 47 wickets in nine Quaid-e-Azam Trophy games. Those are domestic achievements, not predictions for this Test.
Kusal Mendis captains Sri Lanka. The ICC confirmed on October 27 that Pathum Nissanka would miss the two-Test series while recovering from a left hamstring injury, with Lahiru Udara taking his place. Nissanka's name appeared in the earlier provisional touring squad, but that older list no longer reflects the updated availability information.
Sri Lanka's updated group includes Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha, with bowling resources such as Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga and Milan Rathnayaka. Anjala Bandara and Keshara Nuwantha are also in the squad. The ICC injury update provides the replacement and revised squad.
Nissanka's absence increases the importance of Sri Lanka's opening partnership. If Udara is chosen, his responsibility will be to withstand the new ball and help the middle order avoid an early rebuilding job. This is a potential tactical effect, not a confirmed lineup decision.
No, not at the time of this update. The ICC lists the match as upcoming, and neither side's final playing XI nor the toss winner has been verified. Team sheets and the toss decision are normally reported close to the start of a Test, so any predicted lineup should remain clearly labeled as speculation.
The first official team sheets will also answer whether Pakistan choose a pace-heavy combination or include additional spin, and how Sri Lanka balance their fast bowlers with specialist spin. Those decisions should be assessed after confirmation, not presented as settled facts now.
The most reliable official route for live match status, score, innings progress and the eventual result is the ICC match center for Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka. The ICC fixtures and results page is another official way to locate the Test and check its status. For team announcements and tour news, refer to the Pakistan Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket.
Television and streaming rights vary by country. An official, match-specific distribution list covering all viewing regions could not be independently verified during this check, so this article does not promise a particular channel or free live stream. Viewers should confirm availability with their local licensed broadcaster or the organizing boards before subscribing or paying for access.
The central contest will be how each batting order manages the opening spells and whether either side can sustain pressure through long Test innings. Pakistan's expanded pace options may allow flexibility if the surface and overhead conditions favor seam movement; Sri Lanka can counter with its experienced middle order and specialist spin resources. However, neither the actual pitch behavior nor the final bowling combinations can be known from a pre-match squad announcement.
The toss could shape the first session if conditions make batting or bowling especially attractive. Equally, partnerships, disciplined bowling and fielding over several sessions are usually more significant than a single early decision in a five-day match. Any weather interruption could affect the time available to force a result; specific forecasts should not be treated as guaranteed match outcomes.
Both fixtures count toward the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship, in which results contribute to each team's championship points percentage. A victory in Rawalpindi would give the winner an early advantage in this short bilateral series and a stronger position heading into Lahore; a draw would leave more of the series outcome riding on the second Test.
The PCB and ICC schedule the second Test for November 17–21, 2026, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. That is a separate match with its own toss and playing XIs. The first Test's final score and series standings will only be known after play ends, potentially before the fifth scheduled day.
The ICC lists 9:30 a.m. in Rawalpindi, Pakistan Standard Time (UTC+05:00), equivalent to 04:30 UTC on Monday, November 9, 2026.
At Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, with November 9–13 reserved as the five scheduled days.
Not as of the November 8, 2026, 12:04 UTC check. The official ICC match center is the place to confirm them once available.
Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka first Test starts November 9 at 9:30 a.m. PKT in Rawalpindi. Check squad updates, ICC live scores and the WTC schedule.
Bangladesh scored 386 behind Hridoy's 242*; West Indies were 7/0 and 23 behind at Day 3 stumps in Sylhet on Nov. 7. See the score, XIs and schedule.
Bangladesh vs. West Indies 2nd Test preview for Nov. 5–9, 2026: confirmed Sylhet start time, UTC conversion, 1–0 series score, squad change and official score updates.
Bangladesh vs West Indies 2nd Test, Nov. 7: Hridoy hits 242 not out, Bangladesh make 386, and West Indies are 7/0 at stumps in Sylhet.
Bangladesh host West Indies in the second and final Test in Sylhet on November 5–9. Check the verified 03:30 UTC start, series score, squad updates, and official live coverage.
Bangladesh scored 386 as Towhid Hridoy struck a record 242*. West Indies reached 7/0 at Day 3 stumps in Sylhet, trailing by 23. See the verified score.
Check confirmed cricket fixtures for Nov. 2–8, 2026: New Zealand vs. India ODIs, two major Tests, ICC matches, India vs. Pakistan U19 and IPL status.
West Indies beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in Mirpur after bowling them out for 142. See the confirmed innings scores, turning points and series context.
Bangladesh vs West Indies 1st Test, October 28–November 1, 2026: check Mirpur start time in BST and UTC, toss, playing XIs, squads and official live scores.
South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs at Newlands to win the 2026 Test series 2–1. Get final innings scores, confirmed XIs, start times and coverage.
