Pakistan appoint Sahibzada Farhan as new T20I captain, drop Salman Ali Agha from squad

Pakistan has appointed Sahibzada Farhan as its new T20I captain, replacing Salman Ali Agha ahead of the three-match series against Sri Lanka. The decision was confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which unveiled the squads for the upcoming T20I series and the subsequent ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, England, and Sri Lanka. Agha has been dropped from the T20I squad but retains his position in the ODI setup, where Shaheen Shah Afridi continues as captain. Farhan, a 30-year-old opening batsman, assumes the role after leading Pakistan to a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. His leadership helped the team secure second place after a narrow 19-run loss to India in the final. During the Asian Games, Farhan scored 383 runs at a strike rate of 160, becoming the highest run-scorer in a single edition of the T20 World Cup. He had previously captained Pakistan in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. The T20I series against Sri Lanka will be held in Rawalpindi, with matches scheduled for October 9, 11, and 13. Pakistan’s T20I squad includes Farhan as captain, along with key players such as Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, and Sufiyan Moqim. In contrast, the ODI squad features Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain, with Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, and others included. Salman Ali Agha remains in the ODI squad despite being dropped from the T20I team. The ODI tri-series will start on October 18 and include seven matches, with the final scheduled for October 31 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The PCB’s decision to replace Agha follows a period of mixed performances in major tournaments. Pakistan struggled in both the Asia Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup, prompting the need for strategic changes. Farhan’s inclusion is based on his consistent form and leadership qualities, particularly highlighted during the Asian Games. Several players have been added to the T20I squad, including Razaullah, who earned his debut call-up after a standout performance in the third Test against England. Mohammad Imran Randhawa also received his first T20I selection, while Saad Baig joined the ODI squad. Meanwhile, some players were excluded from the T20I team, including Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, and Usman Khan, though they remain in the ODI setup. The PCB emphasized the importance of adapting to evolving challenges in limited-overs cricket, with the hope that Farhan’s leadership would bring improved results in the T20 format. The transition in captaincy is expected to influence team dynamics and strategies during the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. The T20I series will serve as the opening phase of Pakistan’s white-ball campaign, followed by the ODI tri-series. Matches in the ODI leg will be split between Rawalpindi and Lahore, with the final set to be played in Lahore on October 31. The schedule includes a double round-robin format, ensuring each team plays against the other twice before the final.