Pakistan vs Sri Lanka has always been a fascinating matchup in international cricket. The two Asian sides have faced each other across formats for decades.
The first international encounter between Pakistan and Sri Lanka dates back to 1975. Pakistan won that clash in the ODI World Cup comfortably. Since then, they have dominated Sri Lanka in the 50-over tournament.
Even outside the World Cup, Pakistan kept an upper hand over the Lankans for a long time. But since the late 1990s, Sri Lanka have put up some fight.
Take, for instance, the Asia Cup triumphs or closely fought T20 World Cup encounters. On the bilateral front, Pakistan’s record is still better. But Sri Lanka is climbing up the stairs quickly to level the record.
And Sri Lanka’s next step will be the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four encounter against Pakistan. It’s an important clash with the qualification for the final on the line.
Both teams will compete in the third match of the Super Four stage on September 23, 2025, in Abu Dhabi.
On that note, here’s the head-to-head timeline between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, along with notable records and highlights.
Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Player (2025)
| Role | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Salman Ali Agha | Charith Asalanka |
| Batters | Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub | Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera |
| All-rounders | Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz | Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka |
| Wicketkeeper | Mohammad Haris | Kusal Mendis |
| Bowlers | Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem | Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Dunith Wellalage |
Read Also:- IND vs PAK Asia Cup Head to Head Records (T20 & ODI)
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head Timeline (Recent 10 Matches)
| Year | Match | Format | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ODI World Cup | ODI | Hyderabad | Pakistan won by 6 wickets |
| 2023 | Asia Cup | ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets |
| 2023 | SL vs PAK, 2nd Test | Test | Colombo (SSC) | Pakistan won by an innings and 222 runs |
| 2023 | SL vs PAK, 1st Test | Test | Galle | Pakistan won by 4 wickets |
| 2022 | Asia Cup Final | T20I | Dubai (DICS) | Sri Lanka won by 23 runs |
| 2022 | Asia Cup | T20I | Dubai (DICS) | Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets |
| 2022 | SL vs PAK, 2nd Test | Test | Galle | Sri Lanka won by 246 runs |
| 2022 | SL vs PAK, 1st Test | Test | Galle | Pakistan won by 4 wickets |
| 2019 | PAK vs SL, 2nd Test | Test | Karachi | Pakistan won by 263 runs |
| 2019 | PAK vs SL, 1st Test | Test | Rawalpindi | Draw |
Notable Records and Highlights
Test Cricket
- Pakistan take a lead over Sri Lanka in Tests (23-17).
- First Test in 1982: Pakistan registered a dominant win by 204 runs. Later, Pakistan won the series 2-nil.
- First series win: Sri Lanka had to wait till 1995 to record their first Test series win over Pakistan. The Lankans defeated them by 2-1 after losing the first Test.
- Asian Test Champions: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 175 runs in the inaugural Asian Test Championship in 1999.
- Revenge taken: Sri Lanka take revenge three years later, defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in the second edition in 2002.
- Top run-scorer: Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (2911 runs)
- Top wicket-taker: Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath (106 wickets)
ODI Cricket
- Pakistan maintain a clear upper hand in ODIs (93-59).
- First ODI in 1975: Pakistan won the World Cup encounter by 192 runs.
- First series win: Both teams contested a bilateral series for the first time in 1982. Pakistan claimed it by 2-1. Sri Lanka’s wait stretched to 1995, winning the series by 2-1.
- Dominant record: Pakistan have defeated Sri Lanka in each of their eight ODI World Cup encounters. Even in the Champions Trophy, Pakistan are ahead by 3-1.
- Asia Cup: In the ODI Asia Cup, Sri Lanka are miles ahead with an 11-4 record. Sri Lanka have beaten Pakistan in the final twice.
- Top run-scorer: Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya (2517 runs)
- Top wicket-taker: Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (96 wickets)
T20I Cricket
- Pakistan take the edge in T20Is (13-10).
- First T20I in 2007: Pakistan won the T20 World Cup fixture by 33 runs.
- T20 World Cup triumph: Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka in the 2009 final to lift the T20 World Cup trophy.
- First series win: Pakistan won the first bilateral T20I series against Sri Lanka in 2015 by 2-0. Four years later, Sri Lanka clinched a 3-0 victory in Pakistan.
- Thrilling Asia Cup final: Sri Lanka mustered 170 on the board, which they defended to clinch the title.
- Balanced record: Pakistan and Sri Lanka have won two T20 World Cup matches each.
- Top run-scorer: Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik (397 runs)
- Top wicket-taker: Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga (16 wickets)
Read Also:- India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025: Schedule, Match Date
Top Players in PAK vs SL Rivalry
Batting: Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mahela Jayawardene
Bowling: Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis
Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Standings (Asia Cup 2025 Super Four)
| Team | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -0.689 |
| Sri Lanka | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -0.121 |
Group B
| Team | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka (Q) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +1.278 |
| Bangladesh (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.270 |
| Afghanistan (E) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +1.241 |
| Hong Kong (E) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2.151 |
Super Four Stage:
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have qualified for the Super Four. Their clash on September 23 in Dubai will be crucial for both sides to stay in contention for the final. Each team plays three matches, with the top two qualifying for the final on September 28.
Upcoming Schedule (Asia Cup 2025)
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – Asia Cup 2025 Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 23, 2025 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 3rd Match, Super Four | Abu Dhabi | 8:00 PM |
Where to Watch Asia Cup 2025 – Broadcasting and Live Streaming Info
Telecast: Sony Sports Network
Live Stream: Sony Liv
Sri Lanka have been in good form in the Asia Cup 2025. Pakistan, meanwhile, have had their struggles but somehow made the Super Four. Now, both teams will give their all in the quest for the two final spots. And fans can expect a thrilling clash in Abu Dhabi.
