Pakistan have announced their squads for a busy home white-ball schedule, with a notable change in leadership ahead of the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Sahibzada Farhan has been handed the T20I captaincy, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the ODI side in the upcoming tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka.
The decision comes just after Farhan led Pakistan at the 2026 Asian Games. The right-handed opener was named captain of Pakistan’s men’s team for the tournament in Japan and now gets another major opportunity at international level. PCB records show that Farhan had already accumulated 1,305 runs in 46 T20Is before the Asian Games, including two centuries and 10 half-centuries.
For Pakistan, this is more than just another home series. The team is beginning to shape its white-ball combinations with the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup approaching, making the October fixtures particularly important for players looking to establish themselves in the long-term setup.
Farhan gets his chance at the top
The biggest talking point from the Pakistan squads 2026 announcement is undoubtedly Farhan’s promotion to T20I captain.
Farhan replaces Salman Ali Agha as the T20I leader for the Sri Lanka series. The change gives Pakistan an opportunity to look at a different leadership approach in the shortest format while also rewarding a player who has recently been trusted with captaincy at the Asian Games. Reports following the squad announcement have also highlighted the leadership change as one of the most significant developments in Pakistan’s current white-ball setup.
Farhan will have several experienced players around him. Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah are among the familiar names in the 15-member squad, while Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Moqim add further bowling options.
The squad also contains opportunities for emerging players. Razaullah and Muhammad Imran Randhawa are among the newer names included, while wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay is another player who could attract attention during the series.
Pakistan T20I squad: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Moqim.
The entire Sri Lanka T20I series will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The first match is scheduled for 9 October, followed by the second T20I on 11 October and the third on 13 October.
Sri Lanka will arrive with Kusal Mendis as captain. Their squad includes players such as Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana, although Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga were ruled out of the T20I leg through injury.
Shaheen Afridi continues as ODI captain
While Pakistan have changed their T20I captain, there is continuity in the ODI setup.
Shaheen Shah Afridi will remain captain for the ODI tri-series featuring Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka. The left-arm fast bowler will have a strong group around him, including Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan.
The 16-member ODI squad also includes wicketkeepers Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig, while Salman Ali Agha returns to the ODI group despite losing the T20I captaincy.
Pakistan ODI squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Moqim.
The ODI tri-series begins on 18 October, when Pakistan face Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. Pakistan then meet England at the same venue on 20 October, before Sri Lanka take on England on 22 October.
The action then shifts to Lahore. Pakistan face England on 25 October and Sri Lanka on 27 October, while Sri Lanka and England meet again on 29 October. The final is scheduled for 31 October at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
England bring a strong challenge
England will add another layer of competition to the tri-series. Harry Brook will continue as captain, while the squad includes Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Sam Curran and Adil Rashid. Mason Crane has also been included and could be in line for his ODI debut.
England’s squad has been reshaped, with Jos Buttler unavailable after a hamstring injury and Jofra Archer rested. That means the series could give England opportunities to test players who may become part of their longer-term World Cup plans.
For Pakistan, facing England and Sri Lanka in home conditions should provide a useful test of their ODI combinations. The tri-series will also allow the selectors to assess which players can handle pressure before the 2027 World Cup cycle moves closer to its decisive phase.
A crucial month for Pakistan cricket
Pakistan’s October schedule is only the beginning of a much longer home campaign.
After the T20Is and ODI tri-series, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to play a two-match Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. The first Test is scheduled for 9 November in Rawalpindi, followed by the second Test from 17 November in Lahore.
That makes the next few weeks particularly important for Pakistan cricket. The selectors will have plenty of opportunities to assess players across formats, while the coaching staff can work towards developing combinations that can perform consistently at home and overseas.
The ODI tri-series, in particular, carries added significance because Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka are all preparing for the 2027 World Cup. Sri Lanka have already named a 16-player ODI squad led by Kusal Mendis, with the team describing the tournament as an important part of its World Cup preparation.
For fans, the immediate focus will be on Farhan. His first assignment as Pakistan’s T20I captain comes against a competitive Sri Lankan side, and there will be plenty of attention on how he handles the responsibility.
Can Farhan make an immediate impact as Pakistan’s new T20I captain? Will Shaheen Afridi’s ODI side win the tri-series at home? And which of Pakistan’s younger players will force their way into the regular setup?
The answers could shape Pakistan’s white-ball plans for the months ahead.
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