Sahibzada Farhan has been appointed as Pakistan’s new T20 cricket captain, replacing Salman Ali Agha ahead of an upcoming three-match home series against Sri Lanka. Farhan, who recently led the team to a silver-medal finish at the Asian Games following a final loss to India, will head a revamped squad for the games scheduled in Rawalpindi from October 9 to October 13.
The selection committee has recalled both batter Hasan Nawaz and fast bowler Naseem Shah to the T20 lineup. Nawaz makes his return having been out of favor since November, despite a strong showing in the Asian Games final where he scored 96 runs before being dismissed on the last ball. Shah, who last played T20 cricket during the World Cup in February, is also included in the ODI squad for the subsequent tri-series beginning October 18. Emerging talent Razaullah has been rewarded with a call-up to both formats following a standout Test debut against England in Birmingham last month. But in the Asian Games final he hit 96 and was out off the final ball as Pakistan lost by 19 runs, nawaz had been out of favour since November.
Behind the stumps, Khawaja Nafay has been named as the specialist wicketkeeper for the T20 matches, while Ghazi Ghori is set to take the gloves for the ODIs. Notably, Mohammad Rizwan was omitted from selection due to an ongoing investigation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority; Rizwan was among seven players recalled from the team following a Test loss to England at Lord’s in August.
Shaheen Shah Afridi continues to lead the ODI side, which features experienced players including Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha. In a coaching shuffle, former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait has been appointed as the team’s bowling coach. Tait joins the setup after a stint with Bangladesh, where he helped them secure a 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan earlier this year. He takes over the role from Ashley Noffke, who has moved to a position with the Netherlands.
Pakistan’s T20 squad comprises Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Khawaja Nafay, Maaz Sadaqat, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan, and Sufiyan Moqim.
The ODI squad selection includes Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Ghazi Ghori, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, and Sufiyan Moqim.
