Sahibzada Farhan is set to begin his stint as Pakistan’s T20I captain when the team takes on Sri Lanka in the opening match of the three-game series in Rawalpindi on Friday.Farhan has replaced Salman Ali Agha, who captained Pakistan at the 2026 T20 World Cup but has been left out of the 15-member squad.“It is an honour to captain Pakistan for the first time in a home series. I am very much excited for this new challenge,” Farhan said while speaking to the media on the eve of the first T20I.He admitted that captaincy brings pressure but believes his experience of leading teams in domestic cricket will help him handle the role.“Obviously, there is pressure of captaincy because you are leading the side and you have to show a different mindset,” he said. “I have captained previously in domestic cricket, so I have an idea of leading the side.”
‘My father always prayed for this’
Farhan said becoming Pakistan captain was something he had never expected. He also spoke about his father’s wish to see him lead the national team one day.“I never imagined myself as Pakistan captain,” he said.Recalling his father’s prayers, Farhan added: “Parents’ prayers really do come true.”The new captain believes he must lead from the front and perform well with the bat to set an example for his teammates. He also expressed confidence in his batting and said he hoped fans would enjoy his style of leadership.Farhan said he trusted the players selected for the series and expected the senior members of the team to help him on the field.“I have complete confidence in the players selected in the current squad. The presence of senior players will greatly assist me on the field,” he said.
Farhan wants Pakistan to play attacking T20 cricket
Farhan made it clear that he wants Pakistan to follow an attacking approach in the shortest format. He believes the team’s top order has players who can support this plan.“We want to imply a T20 mindset. If you see our top order, which includes Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz, they have a similar playing style to mine. I have got the team I wanted,” he said.The Pakistan captain also spoke about Sarfaraz Ahmed’s influence on him as a leader.“I have played a lot under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy, and I really liked his leadership,” he said.Farhan also backed former Pakistan captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, saying both remain capable of returning to T20 cricket.“Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are the best players in the world. Both can return to T20 cricket at any time,” he said.
Pakistan face Sri Lanka in three-match series
Pakistan will begin their three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. The other two matches are scheduled for October 11 and 13. All three games will start at 6 pm, with the toss at 5:30 pm.The series trophy was unveiled in Islamabad on Thursday, with Farhan and Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis attending the ceremony. The series also marks the 250th international cricket match between the two countries.Pakistan head into the contest after winning a silver medal in the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games. The team trained for three hours in Rawalpindi on Wednesday and were scheduled to hold another session on Thursday.The 15-member squad includes uncapped players Razaullah and Mohammad Imran Randhawa. Fast bowler Naseem Shah is also in line to return to T20I cricket after last playing against Sri Lanka in February.Pakistan have several bowling options, with Abrar Ahmed leading the spin attack alongside Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Moqim and Arafat Minhas. Saim Ayub can also contribute with his off-spin. Naseem will lead the pace attack, which also includes Mohammad Salman Mirza, Razaullah and Randhawa.Khawaja Mohammad Nafay is expected to keep wickets, while Fakhar Zaman’s return adds experience and attacking ability to the batting line-up. Maaz Sadaqat, Farhan, Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad provide further options with the bat.Pakistan have won 18 of their 31 T20I matches against Sri Lanka, while Sri Lanka have won 13. However, Sri Lanka swept their last bilateral T20I series in Pakistan 3-0 in Lahore in 2019.Mendis said his team were determined to put up a strong fight and improve their record against Pakistan.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: T20I squads
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, M Imran Randhawa, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Maaz Sadaqat, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, M Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Moqim.Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (captain), Kamil Mishara, Sineth Jayawardena, Lahiru Udara, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga.