Agha sacked, Sahibzada takes over as T20I captain; Mystery spinner Tariq dropped as Pakistan make wholesale changes

Pakistan have sacked Salman Agha as T20I captain following a poor show in T20 World Cup 2026. Sahibzada Farhan, who led a second-string Pakistan side to a silver medal at the Asian Games 2026, has been elevated to the captaincy role for the three-T20I series against Sri Lanka at home. Farhan’s returns with the bat declined in the Asian Games 2026 where Pakistan lost to India in the gold medal final match but he was named captain based on his record-breaking run in T20 World Cup 2026.

Agha had captained Pakistan in 50 T20Is, won 31, lost 18 whereas one ended in no result.

There is no place for Babar Azam, left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan and mystery spinner Usman Tariq in the squad. Unorthodox spinner Tariq has been dropped despite 18 wickets from nine T20Is at an average of 11.16 featuring two four-wicket hauls.

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Also, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Ali Raza, Akif Javed, Ahmed Daniyal and Saad Masood who were part of the Asian Games 2026 squad will not play in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Raza was dropped without getting a debut cap. Similarly, left-arm pacer Javed is yet to make his T20I debut despite proving his mettle in T20 Blast, Lanka Premier League (LPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) this year. 

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Muhammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah have been included in the T20I squads. They had made their Test debuts in England after a major overhaul following the Lord’s Test defeat. 21-year-old Razaullah had impressed with his pace, taking a four-wicket haul in the first innings. Then, he went on a six-hitting spree in the second innings. Batting at no.9, he smashed nine sixes and four fours in his 63-ball 81.

Hasan Nawaz has retained his place in the T20I squad after a 96-run knock against India in the final in a losing cause. In Usman Khan’s absence, Khawaja Nafay will keep the stumps. 

Pakistan’s T20I squad for tri-series vs Sri Lanka

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

Naseem returns to white-ball squads

Meanwhile, Naseem Shah has returned to both T20I and ODI squads. The pacer had done well in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026. Naseem had not played an ODI since April 2025.

Sahibzada dropped from ODIs, wholesale changes made again

Pakistan’s previous ODI series was against Australia by 2-1. The Pakistan selection committee has made several changes to the ODI squad as well. Sahibzada was been dropped after just six ODIs. Apart from Razaullah getting his maiden ODI call-up, Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf, Saim Ayub, Saad Baig and Hasan Nawaz have been recalled to the ODI squad. Players who are missing from the ODI squad are Abdul Samad, Rohail Nazir, Shamyl Hussain, Maaz Sadaqat and Daniyal. Afridi will continue to lead the ODI squad.

Why is Rizwan absent from ODI squad?

Rizwan is currently facing investigation following the Test series against England. His smartphone was taken on the tour and yet to be returned as legal proceedings are underway. It keeps Rizwan out of the squad. The former Pakistan white-ball captain hasn’t been playing domestic cricket as well. 

In Rizwan's absence, Ghazi Ghori is likely to take up the wicketkeeping gloves. Ghori has played four ODIs so far and scored 139 runs including a 65-run knock in the successful run chase against Australia earlier this year. Ghori’s performances will be crucial considering Pakistan are preparing for the ODI World Cup next year. 

Pakistan’s ODI squad for tri-series vs Sri Lanka and England

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, Sufiyan Moqim.

Change in Pakistan’s coaching staff

Recently, Pakistan’s white-bowling coach Ashley Noffke resigned from the post. Noffke’s last assignment was the Asian Games 2026. Noffke will now take up the role of head coach with Netherlands team. He has been replaced by another former Australian pacer, Shaun Tait. He will take over as bowling coach starting with the T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I series schedule

The three-T20I series will begin on October 9 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The following two T20Is will be played on October 11 and 13 at the same venue. 

Then, the ODI action will begin on October 18 with Pakistan taking on Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. Pakistan's second match is against England at the same venue. Then, the action will shift to Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium with Pakistan going up against Harry Brook's England on October 25. Pakistan's second match against Sri Lanka is scheduled to take on October 27. If Pakistan progress to the final, it will be played on October 31 in Lahore.

Sri Lanka T20I squad vs Pakistan -

Kamil Mishara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis (c), Lahiru Udara, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramsinghe, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Binudra Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera (subject to fitness).

Sri Lanka ODI squad for tri-series in Pakistan -

Kusal Mendis (c),  Sahan Arachchige, Dushmantha Chameera, Sachindu Colombage, Avishka Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Janith Liyanage, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga , Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara,Pathum Nissanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage

England’s ODI squad for Pakistan ODI tri-series

Harry Brook (c), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Josh Tongue.

What's at stake for Pakistan in T20I and ODI-tri series?

Pakistan will be looking to rebuild their T20I squad. After losing the final in T20 World Cup 2022, Pakistan have not made it to the semifinals in last two seasons. They are currently sixth fifth in ICC Men's T20I team rankings. They would look to move past South Africa who have 243 rating points, just three more than Pakistan. 

In the ODIs, Pakistan are ranked fifth, just below Australia have 102 rating points. There is a two-point difference between Australia and England. Pakistan would look to narrow it down and move up.