The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a significant change in the national team’s white-ball leadership, naming Sahibzada Farhan as the new T20I captain while confirming Shaheen Shah Afridi as the ODI captain for the upcoming tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka. The announcement comes ahead of Pakistan’s busy home white-ball schedule.
Sahibzada Farhan Takes Charge of Pakistan T20Is
Sahibzada Farhan will lead Pakistan in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. The opening batter previously captained Pakistan at the recently concluded Asian Games, where the team won the silver medal after finishing runners-up to India. His appointment gives him the opportunity to take charge of the senior national side in the shortest format.
The Sahibzada Farhan T20I captaincy decision comes as Pakistan prepares for three home matches against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The games are scheduled for October 9, 11 and 13, giving the new captain an immediate international assignment.
Farhan’s promotion also represents a shift in Pakistan’s T20 leadership structure. Salman Ali Agha, who previously led the side in the format, has not been included in the 15-member T20I squad. However, he remains part of the ODI setup.
Shaheen Shah Afridi Retains ODI Captaincy
While the T20I leadership has changed, Pakistan have maintained continuity in the 50-over format. Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue as ODI captain when Pakistan take on England and Sri Lanka in a seven-match tri-series.
The ODI tournament will begin in Rawalpindi before moving to Lahore for the remaining league fixtures and the final. The decision to retain Shaheen provides stability as Pakistan prepares for another important white-ball campaign.
The ODI squad also includes former captain Babar Azam, along with experienced players including Salman Ali Agha, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan. This gives Shaheen an experienced group to work with during the tri-series.
Pakistan T20I Squad Gets a Fresh Look
The new T20I leadership comes with several notable squad changes. Alongside Farhan, Pakistan have selected players such as Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Hasan Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed.
Naseem Shah returns to the T20I squad after his previous appearance in the format earlier in 2026. Hasan Nawaz has also retained his place following his performances at the Asian Games, where he emerged as Pakistan’s leading batter in the tournament.
The T20I squad does not include Babar Azam or Shaheen Shah Afridi, allowing the selectors to give the shortest format a somewhat different combination while the two senior players remain part of the ODI plans.
For Sahibzada Farhan, the appointment is an important step in his international career. His recent leadership experience at the Asian Games, combined with his role as an opening batter, will make him one of the key figures in Pakistan’s T20 setup.
Sri Lanka Series First Test for New T20I Leadership
Farhan’s first major assignment as Pakistan T20I captain will come against Sri Lanka at home. With the opening match scheduled for October 9 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the series will provide an early opportunity to assess the new leadership structure.
Pakistan will then face Sri Lanka again on October 11 and 13 before switching focus to the ODI tri-series against England and Sri Lanka. The packed schedule means the national selectors will have a chance to evaluate different combinations across both white-ball formats.
The contrasting leadership arrangements are particularly notable: Farhan will lead the T20I side, while Shaheen will continue to captain the ODI team. The PCB’s decision reflects a format-specific approach as Pakistan builds toward future international competitions.
For cricket fans, the Sahibzada Farhan T20I captaincy will be one of the main storylines to follow when Pakistan begin their Sri Lanka series. Meanwhile, Shaheen’s continued ODI leadership will keep the left-arm fast bowler at the centre of Pakistan’s 50-over plans.
As Pakistan enters another important phase of its white-ball cricket journey, all eyes will be on how Farhan handles his new responsibility and how the team responds under separate captains across the two formats. Howzzat will continue to bring the latest Pakistan cricket news, match updates and developments from the national team.
