The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially released the schedule for a highly anticipated three-match T20 International (T20I) series against Australia, to be hosted in Lahore. The matches are slated for January 29, January 31, and February 1, 2026, with Australia's T20I squad arriving in Lahore on January 28. All three fixtures will take place at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium, with toss times at 5:30 PM PKT and play commencing at 6:00 PM PKT. This series is considered a critical warm-up for both cricketing powerhouses as they fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The global tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is set to begin on February 7, 2026. Pakistan is placed in Group A for the World Cup, while Australia is in Group B. PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed expressed enthusiasm for hosting Australia, highlighting the tour as an exciting start to the cricketing year for local fans and urging them to attend the matches to support both teams in their World Cup preparations. This marks Australia's third visit to Pakistan since March-April 2022, a period that included Tests, ODIs, and a T20I. Australia also participated in three matches of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. The announcement has been widely reported by reputable news outlets, including ProPakistani, Geo News, Dawn, ICC, and ANI News, all corroborating the dates and significance of the series. The news holds particular relevance for an Indian audience, given India's role as a co-host for the upcoming T20 World Cup and the traditional rivalry and interest in matches involving Pakistan and Australia.