Sri Lanka begin their three-match T20 International series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Friday, with the first match starting at 6.30 p.m. Sri Lanka time, Hiru News reported.

All three matches will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, on 9, 11 and 13 October.

The head-to-head

The two sides have met 30 times in T20 Internationals. Pakistan have won 18 and Sri Lanka 12.

In the international rankings, Sri Lanka stand 9th with 221 rating points and Pakistan 6th with 240.

Security tightened across the city

Security has been stepped up across Rawalpindi for the series, with the federal and Punjab governments deploying the Army and Rangers alongside police and other law-enforcement personnel, the Daily Mirror reported, carrying an account from the Pakistan Observer.

The arrangements cover the movement and accommodation of the visiting team as well as security around the stadium during the matches.

That filing concerns the security operation and the squads’ arrival rather than Friday’s match itself, so this is not two newsrooms reporting the same event — it is one report on the series build-up and one on the opening fixture.

The squads assembled in stages

Eight Sri Lankan players and five officials arrived in Rawalpindi on Sunday night, followed by another five players on Monday morning, with the remainder expected to complete the touring party on Thursday.

Both sides trained on Thursday evening, preceded by the pre-series media conference at which Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan and Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis spoke before a trophy unveiling ceremony.

Context

Sri Lanka named a 15-member T20I squad on 2 October, with Mendis captaining and Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka left out.

The T20Is are the first leg of a longer tour. As Sri Lanka Cricket set out in September, the trip also takes in an ODI tri-nation series involving England and two Tests — the Tests being the first assignment for Mendis since he was appointed Test captain on Thursday, which gives him the leadership in all three formats.

Not reported

Neither filing names the playing XI for the first match, reports the toss, or gives pitch or weather conditions at Rawalpindi. Neither carries pre-match quotes from Mendis beyond confirming that he addressed the media.

Sources: Hiru News, Daily Mirror.