Rawalpindi, October 9,2026: Pakistan handed Twenty20 International (T20I) debuts to all-rounders Razaullah and Imran Randhawa as Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening match of the three-game series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Both players made their Test debuts in the third and final Test against England last month. Razaullah impressed with a quickfire 81 in Pakistan’s second innings after taking four wickets in the first.
Imran, a veteran of domestic cricket, took two wickets in the same Test. He brings considerable experience to the T20I side, having played 70 domestic matches in the format.
The right-handed batter and right-arm medium pacer also delivered important performances for Multan Sultans during this year’s Pakistan Super League season.
The series marks Sahibzada Farhan’s first assignment as Pakistan’s full-time T20I captain after leading the national team at the recent Asian Games, where Pakistan won the silver medal following a defeat to India in the final.
The 30-year-old opener, who has played 48 T20Is, said on Thursday that he was excited to lead Pakistan on home soil and confident that the new team combination could deliver results.
“This is the first time I am representing my country as a captain. It is a great honor for me,” Farhan told reporters at a pre-series press conference. “There is pressure, but it is not that we will let that pressure sit on our heads.”
He said his experience of captaining domestic sides and the Asian Games team had prepared him for the demands of international leadership.
Farhan’s appointment signals a broader shift in Pakistan’s T20 setup. Established players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are absent from the squad, while Salman Ali Agha has also been removed from the T20 leadership group.
However, Farhan stressed that the door remained open for senior players to return.
“Babar and Rizwan are experienced players and have remained among the world’s best. They can return to the national side anytime,” he said.
“This is the Pakistan team; it doesn’t belong to anyone. Doors are open for everyone.”
Pakistan are expected to pursue a more aggressive style of play, with Farhan indicating that batters such as Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz and Maaz Sadaqat would be encouraged to attack.
The squad combines emerging talent with experienced campaigners, including Fakhar and Shadab Khan. Fast bowler Naseem Shah also returns to T20I cricket after his last appearance against Sri Lanka during the T20 World Cup in February.
Playing XIs
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (captain/wicketkeeper), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara.
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Saim Ayub, Maaz Sadaqat, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Shadab Khan, Imran Randhawa, Razaullah, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
