England are in Pakistan for a white-ball tour, and the first part is a three-team ODI tri-series with the hosts and Sri Lanka. Seven matches in two weeks, all at 9:30 AM Pakistan time, split between Rawalpindi and Lahore: that is a lot of cricket packed into a short window, and a lot of fantasy decisions where team news matters more than reputation.
The tri-series sits between the Pakistan v Sri Lanka T20Is (9 to 13 October) and the Sri Lanka Tests in November, so Pakistan and Sri Lanka arrive with a few matches already played in the country. England are the new side in the mix. Every match is live on CricketDream.
How the tri-series works
Each team plays the other two twice, which makes six league matches. A seventh match at the Gaddafi Stadium on 31 October is the final, and its teams are confirmed after the league games finish. Because there are only four games per team, one bad result can decide who goes through, so the form of the top order matters more than depth in the squad.
England squad: Harry Brook (c)
England have named 16 players, with Harry Brook captaining and two wicketkeepers in Tom Banton and Jordan Cox. Joe Root and Ben Duckett anchor the top order, Will Jacks and Sam Curran are the batting allrounders, and Adil Rashid leads a spin group that also includes Liam Dawson and Mason Crane. Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Jamie Overton, Sonny Baker and Henry Crocombe make up the seam options.
Pakistan squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c)
Shaheen Shah Afridi captains a 16-man Pakistan squad that mixes experience with the young players who featured in the recent T20 series. Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub give the batting its depth, Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig are the wicketkeepers, and the attack has Shaheen, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf with two spinners in Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim.
Sri Lanka squad: Kusal Mendis (c)
Kusal Mendis captains Sri Lanka and keeps wicket. Pathum Nissanka is named but subject to fitness, so check the confirmed XI before you pick him. The squad has a clear batting core in Kamil Mishara, Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis, plus Dasun Shanaka as the experienced allrounder and an attack led by Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga and Maheesh Theekshana.
Fantasy approach for a short tri-series
- Back the openers. With only four league games per team and early starts, runs from the top three are the most reliable points. Duckett, Brook, Babar and Kusal Mendis are the obvious names.
- Spin matters at 9:30 AM starts. Adil Rashid, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Moqim and Maheesh Theekshana bowl in the middle overs, where wickets come when the pitch is slow.
- Be careful with captains who might be rested. In a series this short, teams often rotate, so check the toss and the confirmed XI before the lock.
- Allrounders score in two ways. Sam Curran, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Kamindu Mendis can earn points with both bat and ball.
- Differentials: Dunith Wellalage (SL, left-arm spin) and Sufyan Moqim (PAK, left-arm wrist spin) are likely to be owned by fewer people than the big names.
Early starts mean the toss and the conditions at 9:30 AM local time have more influence than usual. Check the match page 30 minutes before the lock for the toss result and confirmed XIs.
Tri-series prediction
Pakistan are favourites at home, with England the most likely side to push them for a place in the final. Sri Lanka are the underdogs on paper, but a strong top order can win any single ODI. Set your own call in a free Predictor game before each match and see how it compares with your friends.
Play free on CricketDream
Every CricketDream game is free, with no entry fee and no prize pool. Pick 11 players within the credit budget, choose a captain (2x points) and vice-captain (1.5x points), and your score updates live through the match.
Build your free Fantasy XI for the first match of the tri-series, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka.
Build Fantasy XIFrequently asked questions
When is the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026?
It starts on Sunday 18 October 2026 and the final is on Saturday 31 October. There are six league matches and one final.
What time do the matches start in India?
All matches start at 9:30 AM Pakistan time, which is 10:00 AM IST.
Where are the matches played?
The first three league matches (18, 20 and 22 October) are at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The remaining three (25, 27 and 29 October) and the final (31 October) are at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Who are the captains?
Shaheen Shah Afridi captains Pakistan, Harry Brook captains England and Kusal Mendis captains Sri Lanka.
Is Pathum Nissanka fit for the tri-series?
He is in Sri Lanka's squad but subject to a fitness clearance. Check the confirmed XI on the CricketDream match page before picking him.
What else is on this tour?
Pakistan host Sri Lanka for three T20Is from 9 October and two Tests in November in Rawalpindi and Lahore. See the T20I guide linked above.
Is CricketDream fantasy free to play?
Yes. Fantasy XI, Draft, Multi-Draft, Predictor, Cricket Quiz and CricketQuest are all completely free, with no entry fees and no cash prizes. You can play the tri-series for fun and bragging rights with friends.
Where can I follow the live score?
CricketDream is not a broadcaster. Check your local rights holder for the live stream, and use each CricketDream match page for the live score, confirmed playing XIs and your fantasy points as they update.