LAHORE: The Pakis­tan Cricket Board (PCB) has selected Gaddafi Stadium as the venue for the three-match T20 International series against Australia, scheduled to be played from Jan 29 to Feb 1, as part of preparations for next month’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

The PCB confirmed the schedule in a press release issued on Wednesday, stating that the three matches will be played on Jan 29, 31 and Feb 1, with the toss set for 5.30pm (PST) and the first ball to be bowled at 6:00pm on each day.

Australia’s T20I squad will arrive in Lahore on Jan 28.

The series is expected to provide crucial match practice to both teams ahead of the T20 showpiece, where Pakistan are placed in Group ‘A’ and Australia in Group ‘B’.

However, Lahore’s current cold and foggy weather may not be ideal for night cricket. The absence of covered enclosures at the Gaddafi Stadium could also make conditions uncomfortable for spectators.

This will be Australia’s third tour of Pakistan since their return in March-April 2022, when they played a three-match Test and ODI series followed by a lone T20I. The visitors also played three matches of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Australia won the only T20I played at the Gaddafi Stadium in April 2022 by three wickets.

Currently, Australia are ranked second in the ICC T20I rankings, while Pakistan are placed seventh. The series will therefore provide an important opportunity for Pakistan to assess their strength ahead of the World Cup.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2026