New Delhi, October 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Pakistan have removed Salman Ali Agha as captain of their men’s T20I side, with Sahibzada Farhan appointed skipper for the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka, beginning Friday in Rawalpindi.
Salman has also been left out of the T20I squad altogether, although he remains part of Pakistan’s ODI team for the tri-series involving Sri Lanka and England.
The leadership change comes after Pakistan’s underwhelming run in recent T20 cricket. The team lost the Asia Cup final to India last year and failed to reach the semifinals of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Farhan recently led Pakistan to the silver medal at the Asian Games, where they lost to India in the final. His appointment marks a significant change in Pakistan’s T20I leadership ahead of the Sri Lanka series.
The T20I squad also sees the return of fast bowler Naseem Shah, who last featured for Pakistan in the format during the 2026 T20 World Cup. Razaullah, who played a key role in Pakistan’s third Test against England, has received his maiden white-ball call-up in both squads.
Former captain Babar Azam has been omitted from the T20I squad but has been included in the ODI team. Shaheen Shah Afridi, meanwhile, will lead the ODI side but has not been selected for the T20I series.
Several players who featured in the Asian Games have also been rewarded. Hasan Nawaz, who scored 96 against India in the Asiad final, retains his place, while Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Arafat Minhas and Sufiyan Moqim have also been included.
The ODI tri-series will begin in Rawalpindi on October 18, while the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka starts on Friday.
The series will also mark the return of Shaun Tait as Pakistan’s bowling coach. He previously held the position from February 2022 for a year.
Pakistan T20I squad for Sri Lanka series: Sahibzada Farhan (capt), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Maaz Sadaqat, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Moqim.
Pakistan ODI squad for tri-series: Shaheen Shah Afridi (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Moqim.
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