For the 2nd T20I between Sri Lanka (SL) and Pakistan (PAK) on January 9, 2026, at Dambulla, here are 5 Dream11 team combinations.
Pakistan currently leads the series 1-0 after a dominant 6-wicket win. The pitch is expected to be on the slower side, favoring spinners and slow-ball specialists.
Match Details
- Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
- Pitch Report: Slow and balanced. 150-160 is a
- competitive total. Spinners like Shadab Khan and Wanindu Hasaranga are crucial.
- Key Absences: Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan are unavailable (BBL/Injury).
- #*
Team 1: The "Safe" Balanced Side (Small Leagues)
Focus on consistent performers from the 1st T20I.
- WK: Kusal Mendis
- BAT: Pathum Nissanka, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan
- ALL: Shadab Khan (C), Wanindu Hasaranga (VC), Saim Ayub, Dhananjaya de Silva
- BOWL: Maheesh Theekshana, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Abrar Ahmed
Team 2: Pakistan Dominant (Backing the 1-0 Lead)
Assuming Pakistan's bowling attack repeats their clinical performance.
- WK: Usman Khan
- BAT: Sahibzada Farhan (C), Fakhar Zaman, Charith Asalanka
- ALL: Shadab Khan (VC), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz
- BOWL: Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Abrar Ahmed, Salman Mirza
Team 3: Sri Lanka Fightback (Home Advantage)
Backing the hosts to level the series behind their spin twins.
- WK: Kusal Mendis
- BAT: Pathum Nissanka (C), Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage
- ALL: Wanindu Hasaranga (VC), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka
- BOWL: Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Abrar Ahmed
Team 4: Spin & Slower Ball Specialist (Grand League)
Ideal if the pitch plays very slow as the game progresses.
- WK: Kusal Mendis
- BAT: Sahibzada Farhan, Kamil Mishara
- ALL: Saim Ayub (C), Wanindu Hasaranga (VC), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz
- BOWL: Maheesh Theekshana, Abrar Ahmed, Nuwan Thushara, Salman Mirza
Team 5: High-Risk Mega GL (Differential)
Focusing on low-selection players who could be "X-factors".
- WK: Usman Khan
- BAT: Fakhar Zaman, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage
- ALL: Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Mohammad Nawaz (VC), Mitchell Owen (if playing), Dasun Shanaka
- BOWL: Naseem Shah, Matheesha Pathirana, Salman Mirza
Strategic Tips:
- Captaincy Choice: Shadab Khan is the safest pick as he is batting in the middle order and bowling his full quota of 4 overs.
- Sleeper Pick: Janith Liyanage showed great grit in the 1st match (40 runs) and is often overlooked in fantasy teams.
- Toss Factor: If Pakistan bowls first again, their pacers (Wasim Jr. and Naseem Shah) become high-value picks for death wickets.
