Pakistan, Sri Lanka set for three-match T20I series in Rawalpindi
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan will begin a new chapter in their T20I campaign on Friday as Sahibzada Farhan prepares to captain the national side on home soil for the first time when Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the opening match of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The first T20I will be played on 9 October, with the match scheduled to begin at 6pm Pakistan Standard Time. The toss will take place at 5:30pm.
The remaining two matches will also be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 11 and 13 October, with all three games scheduled under lights.
Pakistan enter the series after winning the silver medal at the recently concluded Asian Games men’s cricket tournament. The national side held a three-hour training session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday and will have another practice session on Thursday evening as they complete their preparations for the series.
Farhan will lead a 15-member squad featuring a blend of young talent and experienced campaigners. Two players, Razaullah and Muhammad Imran Randhawa, are in line to make their international debuts, while fast bowler Naseem Shah is set to return to T20I cricket after last representing Pakistan in the format against Sri Lanka in February.
Pakistan have considerable variety in their bowling department. Abrar Ahmed, currently ranked second in the ICC T20I bowling rankings, will spearhead the spin attack alongside Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Moqim and Arafat Minhas. Saim Ayub also provides an additional off-spin option.
The pace department includes Naseem Shah, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Razaullah and Imran Randhawa.
Khawaja Mohammad Nafay is expected to take responsibility behind the stumps, while the batting unit has received a boost with the return of experienced opener Fakhar Zaman. Maaz Sadaqat, captain Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad will also be key figures in Pakistan’s batting line-up.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have met 30 times in men’s T20Is, with Pakistan holding the advantage with 18 victories compared to Sri Lanka’s 12.
The two sides have previously contested eight bilateral T20I series. Pakistan have won four, while three series ended in draws. Sri Lanka’s only bilateral series victory came in 2019, when they stunned Pakistan 3-0 in Lahore.
Friday’s opening encounter will also mark a significant milestone in the rivalry, as it will be the 250th international cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka across formats.
Speaking ahead of the series, Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan said leading the national side in front of the home crowd was both a major responsibility and an exciting opportunity.
“It is a great responsibility and challenge to be leading Pakistan and I’m equally excited to do this for the first time in front of our fans. We have got a good blend of youth and experience in the squad with all bases covered. It is going to be an exciting series against Sri Lanka and we hope to entertain the fans,” Farhan said.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis, meanwhile, said his side were looking to reverse their recent results against Pakistan.
“It feels good to be back in Pakistan and we are building up well for this three-match T20I series. The contest is expected to be of high intensity and we will look to turn the results around for our team. Both the teams have got talented and skillful players in their respective squads, which adds to the quality of cricket,” Mendis said.
The series will be broadcast live in Pakistan on PTV Sports, while fans will also be able to stream the matches through the PCB Live app. Tapmad and Tamasha will also provide streaming coverage.
The PCB Live app will additionally stream the matches across the United Kingdom, North America, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa.
The commentary panel for the series will feature former Pakistan captains Aamir Sohail and Salman Butt, former Pakistan women’s captain Urooj Mumtaz Khan, former Pakistan international Bazid Khan and Sri Lankan commentator Roshan Abeysinghe.
Pakistan T20I squad
Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Maaz Sadaqat, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Moqim.
Pakistan team management
Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Shaun Tait (bowling coach), Michael Smith (batting coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Muhammad Tahir (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Nabeel Edger Pace (team analyst, Sri Lanka T20Is), Usman Hashmi (team analyst, tri-series), Shafqat Shabbir (media manager, Rawalpindi leg), Syed Nazir Ahmed (media manager, Lahore leg), Col. Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur).
Sri Lanka T20I squad
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 and Eshan Malinga.
Broadcast details
- Pakistan: PTV Sports, PCB Live, Tapmad, Tamasha
- North America: Willow TV
- Sri Lanka: Dialog, Peo TV, Siyatha TV
- Bangladesh TV: TSports
- Bangladesh Digital SVOD: Tapmad
- MENA: Cricbuzz
- Australia: Fox Sports
- UK: ARY
- India: Veto
- Rest of World, excluding Africa and Caribbean: Sports Central / Sports TV
The three-match series will provide Pakistan’s new-look T20I unit with an important opportunity to build momentum ahead of their upcoming international commitments, while Sri Lanka will look to challenge Pakistan on their home turf and improve their record in the bilateral rivalry.
