Sahibzada Farhan embraces pressure as Pakistan’s new T20I captain

Farhan takes charge with an attacking brief

Sahibzada Farhan is set to make his first appearance as Pakistan’s T20I captain when his side meets Sri Lanka in the opening match of their three-game series in Rawalpindi on Friday. He replaces Salman Ali Agha, who led Pakistan at the 2026 T20 World Cup but was not included in the 15-member squad for the series.

“It is an honour to captain Pakistan for the first time in a home series. I am very much excited for this new challenge,” Farhan said on the eve of the match. He acknowledged that the role brings pressure, but said his experience captaining domestic sides had given him a foundation. “Obviously, there is pressure of captaincy because you are leading the side and you have to show a different mindset,” he said.

Captaincy once seemed out of reach

Farhan said he had never pictured himself leading Pakistan and recalled that his father had hoped to see him become national captain. “I never imagined myself as Pakistan captain,” he said, adding: “Parents’ prayers really do come true.” He said he wants to lead from the front with the bat and trusts the selected squad, with senior players expected to support him on the field.

Pakistan seek a more aggressive T20 approach

The new captain said Pakistan would aim to play with an attacking T20 mindset. He pointed to Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz as players whose style complements his own, and said he was pleased with the squad. Farhan also cited Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy as an influence, saying he had played extensively under him and admired his leadership.

Farhan backed former Pakistan captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to return to T20 cricket, describing them as among the world’s best and saying either could come back at any time.

Series opens in Rawalpindi

The first match is scheduled for Friday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with the remaining games on October 11 and 13. Each match is due to begin at 6pm, with the toss at 5.30pm. The series trophy was unveiled in Islamabad, where Farhan and Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis attended the ceremony. The contest is the countries’ 250th international match.

Pakistan come into the series after taking silver in the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games. Their squad includes uncapped players Razaullah and Mohammad Imran Randhawa, while Naseem Shah is in line to return to T20I cricket after last playing against Sri Lanka in February. Pakistan’s options also include spin bowlers Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Moqim and Arafat Minhas, with Saim Ayub able to contribute off-spin.

Pakistan have won 18 of their 31 T20I meetings with Sri Lanka, who have won 13. Sri Lanka, however, swept their most recent bilateral T20I series in Pakistan, winning 3-0 in Lahore in 2019. Mendis said his side were determined to put up a strong fight and improve their record.