The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch for the PAK vs SL 1st Test should suit batting early, with a first-innings average of 336, though bowling first has won 10 of the 17 Tests played here. Cloudy, dry weather with a 10% chance of rain is forecast for Day 1, Monday, November 9, 2026, with rain forecast for Thursday (Day 4). The match started at 9:30 AM local time (10:00 AM IST), and Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl.
The two-Test series is level at 0-0, and both matches count towards the ICC World Test Championship. Babar Azam leads Pakistan, and Kusal Mendis captains Sri Lanka. In India, live streaming is on Veto, and no TV broadcast is listed.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report for PAK vs SL 1st Test
| Factor | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Pitch type | Good for batting early, with scores dropping sharply in the third and fourth innings |
| Par first-innings score | Around 335 (venue average: 336) |
| Best for batting | Days 1 and 2 |
| Fast bowlers | New ball and the first session, with cloud cover around |
| Spinners | Likely to come into play late, as the fourth-innings average is only 143 |
| Outfield | To be confirmed |
| Toss advantage | Bowling first has won 10 Tests here and batting first 3 |
Day-by-Day Pitch Behaviour
| Day | How the Pitch Is Likely to Play |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Cloudy and dry, with the new ball likely to do a little in the first session before batting gets easier |
| Day 2 | Sunny, and the best day for batting |
| Day 3 | Partly cloudy, and the pitch starts to wear as the third-innings average here is 225 |
| Day 4 | Rain is forecast, and lost time is possible |
| Day 5 | Chasing is tough, and the average fourth-innings score here is 143 |
How the Pitch Plays at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Details on the soil, bounce and grass cover have not been confirmed. The venue stats show 17 Tests, with 3 won batting first and 10 won bowling first, and the remaining four not won by either side. The first-innings average is 336 and the second-innings average is 399, before scores drop to 225 in the third innings and 143 in the fourth. The first two averages are lifted by a few very large totals, so treat them with care.
The highest total here is 657/10 by England against Pakistan, and the highest chase is 220/8 by Sri Lanka against Pakistan. The lowest total is 112/10 by England against Pakistan, and the lowest score defended is 187/10 by Zimbabwe against Pakistan. The ground has seen huge totals and quick collapses, so it can reward and punish.
Also Read: PAK vs SL 1st Test 2026: List of Umpires
Rawalpindi Weather Forecast for PAK vs SL 1st Test
| Day | Date | Conditions | Temperature (High / Low) | Rain Chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Monday, November 9 | Cloudy | 26°C / 16°C | 10% |
| Day 2 | Tuesday, November 10 | Sunny | 26°C / 17°C | To be confirmed |
| Day 3 | Wednesday, November 11 | Partly cloudy | 25°C / 16°C | To be confirmed |
| Day 4 | Thursday, November 12 | Rain | 21°C / 16°C | To be confirmed |
| Day 5 | Friday, November 13 | Partly cloudy | 21°C / 14°C | To be confirmed |
Day 1 is mild and cloudy, with humidity around 47% and wind of about 3 km/h. The temperature is about 25°C in the late morning, peaks near 26°C by 3 PM and eases to about 24°C by 6 PM. Rain is not a worry on the first three days, but the forecast for Day 4 could cost overs and make a result harder to get.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Test Records and Stats
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 17 |
| Won batting first | 3 |
| Won bowling first | 10 |
| Average first-innings score | 336 |
| Average second-innings score | 399 |
| Average third-innings score | 225 |
| Average fourth-innings score | 143 |
| Highest total | 657/10 (101 overs) by England vs Pakistan |
| Lowest total | 112/10 (37.2 overs) by England vs Pakistan |
| Highest score chased | 220/8 (83.5 overs) by Sri Lanka vs Pakistan |
| Lowest score defended | 187/10 (62.2 overs) by Zimbabwe vs Pakistan |
The ground has a capacity of 15,000. Its two ends are the Pavilion End and the Shell End.
Also Read: India vs New Zealand 2026 Schedule
PAK vs SL Test Head-to-Head Record
| Matches | Pakistan Won | Sri Lanka Won | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 23 | 17 | 19 |
Must Read: Australia vs England 2026 Schedule
What Should the Captains Do at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium?
Bowl first if the toss is won, as Sri Lanka did. Bowling first has won 10 of 17 tests here, and Day 1 is cloudy, which can help the new ball in the first session. A first-innings total of 335 or more puts pressure on the side batting last, since the average fourth-innings score is only 143. Use the new ball well on Day 1. Pakistan have Mohammad Abbas, Aamer Jamal, Razaullah and Saqib Khan, and Sri Lanka have Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka. Bring on spin as the pitch wears. Both squads carry spin options, including Arafat Minhas and Salman Agha for Pakistan, and Prabath Jayasuriya and Sonal Dinusha for Sri Lanka. With rain forecast on Day 4, the side ahead after three days may have to push for a result quickly.
Must Read: PAK vs SL 1st Test Live Streaming
