ISLAMABAD – Pakistan have handed the T20I captaincy to Sahibzada Farhan, replacing Salman Ali Agha ahead of the three-match home series against Sri Lanka.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the change on October 5, with Farhan appointed captain of the T20I side after recently leading Pakistan at the 2026 Asian Games. Shaheen Shah Afridi, meanwhile, will continue as Pakistan’s ODI captain.
The decision represents a major change in Pakistan’s T20 setup as the team begins looking towards the next generation of players.
Sahibzada Farhan Takes Over Pakistan T20I Captaincy
Farhan will lead Pakistan for the first time in a full international T20I series when Sri Lanka visit for three matches.
The 30-year-old opening batter has been rewarded after leading Pakistan’s young side to the Asian Games final in Japan.
Pakistan eventually lost the gold-medal match to India by 19 runs and finished with a silver medal. The campaign nevertheless gave Farhan valuable experience as captain.
His promotion now takes that experience into the senior national team.
The appointment also makes Farhan Pakistan’s fourth T20I captain in the space of two and a half years, highlighting the frequent leadership changes in the format.
Salman Ali Agha Dropped From T20I Squad
The change is bigger than a captaincy switch.
Salman Ali Agha has also been left out of Pakistan’s 15-member T20I squad for the Sri Lanka series.
The PCB has not publicly given a specific reason for removing Agha from the T20I leadership role. He remains part of the ODI squad and will therefore continue to be involved in Pakistan’s white-ball setup.
Under Agha, Pakistan won 31 of their 50 T20Is, although the team failed to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The latest change appears to signal a fresh direction for Pakistan’s T20 team.
Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi Miss T20I Squad
Several major names will also miss the Sri Lanka T20I series.
Former captain Babar Azam and ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi have not been selected for the T20I squad.
Both players have, however, been included in the ODI squad for the upcoming tri-series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England.
Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah are among the experienced players included in the T20I squad.
The selection gives Farhan a side that combines several established names with younger players.
Pakistan T20I Squad
| Player |
Role |
| Sahibzada Farhan |
Captain |
| Abdul Samad |
Batter |
| Abrar Ahmed |
Bowler |
| Arafat Minhas |
All-rounder |
| Fakhar Zaman |
Batter |
| Hasan Nawaz |
Batter |
| Khawaja Nafay |
Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Maaz Sadaqat |
Batter |
| Mohammad Salman Mirza |
Bowler |
| Muhammad Imran Randhawa |
All-rounder |
| Naseem Shah |
Fast bowler |
| Razaullah |
All-rounder |
| Saim Ayub |
Batter |
| Shadab Khan |
All-rounder |
| Sufiyan Moqim |
Bowler |
The squad was officially announced by the PCB on October 5.
Farhan’s Asian Games Campaign Boosted His Case
Farhan’s recent leadership experience played an important role in his appointment.
He captained Pakistan’s second-string side at the Asian Games and guided the team into the final for the first time.
Pakistan faced India in the gold-medal match but fell short despite a strong batting effort.
The defeat did not overshadow Farhan’s growing reputation as a T20 batter and leader.
His appointment now gives him an opportunity to establish himself in Pakistan’s senior setup.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I Series Schedule
The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20 series will be played entirely at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
All three matches will take place within five days.
| Match |
Date |
Venue |
| 1st T20I |
October 9 |
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| 2nd T20I |
October 11 |
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| 3rd T20I |
October 13 |
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
The PCB has confirmed the three-match schedule as part of Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan.
The series will give Farhan an immediate test as Pakistan’s new T20I captain.
Sri Lanka Series Comes Before ODI Tri-Series
Pakistan’s schedule does not end with the T20Is.
England will join Pakistan and Sri Lanka for a seven-match ODI tri-series later in October.
The tournament begins in Rawalpindi on October 18. It will then move to Lahore for the final four matches, including the final on October 31.
Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain Pakistan in the ODI competition.
Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Haris Rauf and several other senior players are included in the ODI squad.
Pakistan’s Busy Home Season Continues
The ODI tri-series will be followed by Sri Lanka’s Test tour.
Sri Lanka will play a three-day warm-up match in Islamabad from November 4 to 6 before facing Pakistan in a two-Test series.
The first Test is scheduled for Rawalpindi from November 9 to 13.
The second Test will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from November 17 to 21. The series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
That means Pakistan are set for a packed home season across all three formats.
A New Era for Pakistan’s T20 Team?
The appointment of Sahibzada Farhan as Pakistan T20I captain could mark the beginning of another rebuilding phase.
Pakistan have repeatedly changed their T20 leadership in recent years.
This time, the PCB has turned to a player who has just gained international captaincy experience at the Asian Games.
Farhan will now have to balance his own batting responsibilities with the demands of leading an international side.
The Sri Lanka series will provide his first real test.
Can he bring stability to Pakistan’s T20 team?
And can a new captain help Pakistan build towards the next T20 World Cup cycle?
Those questions will begin to find answers when Pakistan take the field in Rawalpindi on October 9.
Key Points:
- Sahibzada Farhan has been named Pakistan’s new T20I captain.
- He replaces Salman Ali Agha, who has also been left out of the T20I squad.
- Farhan recently led Pakistan to the Asian Games final.
- Pakistan won the silver medal after losing the final to India.
- Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi are not included in the T20I squad.
- Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah are included.
- Pakistan will play Sri Lanka in three T20Is on October 9, 11 and 13.
- All three matches will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
- Shaheen Afridi will captain Pakistan in the ODI tri-series.
- Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha are included in the ODI squad.
- Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England will play the ODI tri-series from October 18 to 31.
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