Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan is confident his new-look team can deliver against Sri Lanka in the upcoming T20 International series. The three-match series begins in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Pakistan will be without star players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Former T20I captain Salman Agha and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan are also missing from the squad.

The changes form part of Pakistan’s efforts to build a competitive team for the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“I am confident that this new combination is the best and will settle in this series,” Farhan said on Thursday.

“I know how to lead the side and I will not take pressure.”

Farhan Takes Charge After Asian Games Campaign

Farhan recently led a second-string Pakistan side to the silver medal at the Asian Games in Japan. The team lost to India in last week’s final.

He will now lead Pakistan in a challenging series against Sri Lanka. The matches will give several players an opportunity to strengthen their positions in the national setup.

Maradona Death Trial Prosecutors Seek Up to 12 Years in Prison for Doctor

Babar’s T20I form had come under scrutiny before the series. He was also left out of Pakistan’s final match against Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup in February.

Shaheen is currently out of favour in Pakistan’s T20I plans. However, he will captain the national ODI side in a tri-series involving Sri Lanka and England.

That tournament begins in Rawalpindi on October 18.

Sri Lanka Also Missing Key Players

Sri Lanka will also enter the series without some of their established stars. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga remains injured, while former captain Charith Asalanka has been dropped from the touring squad.

Hasaranga is joint-fifth on the all-time T20I wicket-taking list. He has claimed 163 wickets in 101 matches.

Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis acknowledged Hasaranga’s absence but expressed confidence in the available players.

“Unfortunately, Wanindu is still injured, and we will miss him, but we have a few other exciting players who I am sure will stand up and perform,” Mendis said.

Mendis also believes his team can adapt to conditions in Pakistan. He previously played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) earlier this year.

“I think everyone knows how to play in Pakistan,” he said.

He added that Sri Lanka’s players were familiar with several Pakistani cricketers through the PSL. Mendis hopes that experience will help his team perform well.

Pakistan Hold T20I Head-to-Head Advantage

The series will be the ninth bilateral T20I series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It will also mark the 250th international cricket fixture between the two countries.

Pakistan have won 18 of their 30 T20I meetings with Sri Lanka. The islanders have recorded 12 victories.

Pakistan have won four of the previous eight bilateral T20I series. Three ended level, while Sri Lanka’s only series victory came in 2019.

Sri Lanka completed a 3-0 sweep in Lahore during that tour.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I Schedule

All three matches will take place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

First T20I: Friday, October 9

Second T20I: Sunday, October 11

Third T20I: Tuesday, October 13

Pakistan Squad

Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Maaz Sadaqat, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Moqim.

Sri Lanka Squad

Kusal Mendis (captain), Kamil Mishara, Sineth Jayawardena, Lahiru Udara, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara and Eshan Malinga.