Sahibzada Farhan era begins as Pakistan face Sri Lanka in T20I series

LAHORE - Pakistan will embark on a new chapter in their T20I cricket when Sahibzada Farhan leads the national side on home soil for the first time against Sri Lanka in the opening match of a three-game series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday (today). The series, scheduled for October 9, 11 and 13, promises an intriguing contest between two sides eager to establish momentum in the shortest format. All three matches will begin at 6pm, with the toss scheduled for 5:30pm. The series trophy was unveiled in Islamabad on Thursday, with Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan and Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis featuring in the official ceremony. The occasion added further anticipation to a contest that marks the 250th international cricket fixture between the two countries. Rs 2.75m Italy work visa fraud: FIA puts suspect behind bars Pakistan enter the series with confidence after securing a silver medal in the men's cricket competition at the Asian Games. The squad trained for three hours at Rawalpindi on Wednesday and will complete their preparations with another session on Thursday. The 15-member squad includes uncapped players Razaullah and Mohammad Imran Randhawa, while fast bowler Naseem Shah is in line to return to T20I cricket after last appearing against Sri Lanka in February. Pakistan possess considerable bowling variety. ICC's second-ranked T20I bowler Abrar Ahmad will spearhead the spin department alongside Shadab Khan, Sufyan Moqim and left-armer Arafat Minhas, with Saim Ayub also capable of contributing valuable off-spin. Naseem will lead a pace attack that also features Mohammad Salman Mirza, Razaullah and Randhawa. Rawalpindi dengue cases plunge to nine Khawaja Mohammad Nafay is expected to take responsibility behind the stumps, while the batting unit has gained experience and firepower through the return of Fakhar Zaman. Maaz Sadaqat, Farhan, Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad further strengthen a line-up combining youth with proven ability. Pakistan have dominated the overall T20I rivalry, winning 18 of the 31 meetings against Sri Lanka, who have claimed 13 victories. However, Sri Lanka's most notable success came during their last bilateral T20I tour of Pakistan in 2019, when they swept the Lahore series 3-0. Mendis said Sri Lanka were determined to compete strongly and reverse recent fortunes. Hospitality purest form of human diplomacy: Misbah Khar T20I SQUADS PAKISTAN: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, M Imran Randhawa, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Maaz Sadaqat, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, M Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Moqim. SRI LANKA: Kusal Mendis (captain), Kamil Mishara, Sineth Jayawardena, Lahiru Udara, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga. Court sentences 3 men to death for killing rival in Kotli Sattian 1st T20I Pakistan vs Sri Lanka At 6:00 PM Tags: sahibzadafarhanerapakistan