The Pakistan Cricket Board has officially announced the men’s squads for a busy October home programme, naming Sahibzada Farhan as T20I captain for the three-match series against Sri Lanka and retaining Shaheen Shah Afridi as ODI captain for the tri-nation tournament involving England and Sri Lanka.
The announcement, issued on October 5, confirms separate combinations for the two formats. Pakistan will first meet Sri Lanka in three T20 internationals at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 9, 11 and 13. The focus will then shift to a seven-match ODI tri-series from October 18 to 31, with the opening three games in Rawalpindi and the remaining league matches and final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
The complete squads and leadership decisions were published by the Pakistan Cricket Board in its official release. The selections mix established international performers with younger players who have earned opportunities through domestic cricket and recent national-team assignments.
Pakistan’s October 2026 Schedule
| Date | Match | Teams | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 October | 1st T20I | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi |
| 11 October | 2nd T20I | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi |
| 13 October | 3rd T20I | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi |
| 18 October | Tri-Series Match 1 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi |
| 20 October | Tri-Series Match 2 | Pakistan vs England | Rawalpindi |
| 22 October | Tri-Series Match 3 | Sri Lanka vs England | Rawalpindi |
| 25 October | Tri-Series Match 4 | Pakistan vs England | Lahore |
| 27 October | Tri-Series Match 5 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Lahore |
| 29 October | Tri-Series Match 6 | Sri Lanka vs England | Lahore |
| 31 October | Tri-Series Final | Top two teams | Lahore |
The schedule was first confirmed in August and remains listed on the PCB’s official tour announcement. The board has also confirmed the match officials and venue plan for every fixture.
Pakistan T20I Squad vs Sri Lanka
Sahibzada Farhan will captain a 15-player T20I group after leading Pakistan at the Asian Games. His appointment gives the aggressive right-handed opener a chance to guide a youthful side in home conditions. The squad contains familiar names such as Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed, alongside players seeking to strengthen their place in Pakistan’s short-format plans.
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Captain | Sahibzada Farhan |
| Batters and all-round options | Abdul Samad, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Imran Randhawa |
| Wicketkeeper | Khawaja Nafay |
| Bowlers | Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Moqim |
Farhan’s leadership is one of the headline decisions. His recent captaincy experience gives Pakistan continuity, while the presence of seasoned players around him should help with tactical decisions under pressure. The top order has several attacking combinations, and the bowling unit offers pace through Naseem, Razaullah and Salman Mirza together with spin from Abrar and Sufiyan.
Pakistan ODI Squad for the Tri-Series
Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue as captain of the 16-member ODI squad. Pakistan’s 50-over group includes Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub in the batting core, with Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf providing all-round balance. Shaheen, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf form an experienced pace group, while Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas and Sufiyan Moqim offer different spin options.
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Captain | Shaheen Shah Afridi |
| Batters and all-rounders | Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan |
| Wicketkeepers | Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Baig |
| Bowlers | Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Moqim |
The squad gives Pakistan several ways to structure its XI. Babar and Fakhar supply experience at the top, while Saim and Hasan add modern attacking intent. The two wicketkeepers create competition behind the stumps, and the variety in the bowling attack should allow the team to adjust between Rawalpindi’s conditions and Lahore’s later tournament matches.
Why the Tri-Series Matters
Three-team ODI tournaments have become less common in a crowded international calendar, making this competition especially attractive for supporters. Each side will play the other twice before the top two contest the final. That format rewards consistency and gives teams time to adapt instead of treating every defeat as immediate elimination.
For Pakistan, the event offers important preparation for the longer-term path toward the 2027 Cricket World Cup. Repeated matches against two different opponents will test squad depth, tactical flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to changing conditions. England’s 16-player squad will be led by Harry Brook, while Sri Lanka has named a group captained by Kusal Mendis. The ICC’s England squad update and its Sri Lanka squad announcement underline the quality of the visiting teams.
Rawalpindi will host the first three ODI fixtures before the tournament moves to Lahore. Playing across two venues will challenge captains to read different pitches and manage their bowling resources carefully. It will also give fans in both cities the opportunity to watch high-profile international cricket over a concentrated two-week period.
Leadership Spotlight: Farhan and Shaheen
The split captaincy places responsibility on two players with contrasting styles. Farhan’s immediate task is to set an aggressive tone in the T20Is while managing a squad that includes several developing players. Short-format leadership often depends on quick bowling changes, matchup decisions and calm thinking in the final overs.
Shaheen brings established international experience to the ODI role. As a new-ball bowler, he can influence matches from the opening spell, but captaincy will require him to manage his own workload while coordinating Haris, Naseem and the spin options. The round-robin structure provides room to refine combinations before the final.
What Fans Should Watch
Attention will initially centre on Pakistan’s batting order and the balance between youth and experience. The T20I series may reveal how Farhan uses Saim, Fakhar and the middle-order power hitters, while the ODI tournament will show whether Pakistan prefers extra batting depth or a fifth specialist bowler.
The pace trio of Shaheen, Naseem and Haris remains a major strength in the 50-over squad. At the same time, Abrar’s wicket-taking spin and Shadab’s all-round ability could be decisive in the middle overs. Younger wicketkeepers Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig will also have an opportunity to learn within a high-pressure international environment.
With official squads confirmed and the first match only days away, Pakistan’s home white-ball season is ready to begin. The Sri Lanka T20Is will provide the opening test, followed by a rare tri-nation ODI contest that brings England into the mix and promises meaningful preparation, strong crowds and competitive cricket in Rawalpindi and Lahore.