Pak Cricket News
Every Pakistan cricket story that matters — the national team, the series, the new captain, the dropped superstar and the fixtures ahead — in one definitive guide.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
The Essentials
Key Facts at a Glance
Pakistan cricket right now, in thirty seconds.
Right Now
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I Series (October 2026)
Three T20Is at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, 9–13 October — and a new-look Pakistan side.
Pakistan are hosting Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 9 to 13 October 2026. The series opener on 9 October began a new era: Sahibzada Farhan captaining Pakistan for the first time, Sri Lanka winning the toss and choosing to bat under Kusal Mendis.
The headline before a ball was bowled was the squad list. Babar Azam and Shadab Khan were both left out, while Salman Ali Agha lost not just the captaincy but his place in the side. Naseem Shah and Fakhar Zaman returned. Head coach Mike Hesson framed it as a strategic shift toward younger stroke-makers, telling reporters that Babar “will be brought back in the T20 squad when required”.
The series is Pakistan’s first home assignment since a 2026 that has already included the T20 World Cup and the Asian Games — a crowded calendar that has forced the selectors to keep rotating. This week’s Pakistan cricket headlines, explained →
The Talking Point
Why Babar Azam Was Dropped
The biggest selection call in Pakistan cricket this year — and the numbers behind it.
Babar Azam’s omission is the story dominating Pakistan cricket news. The numbers tell it plainly: at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Babar managed only 91 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 112.34 — below par for modern T20 cricket. He was benched for the Super Eight fixture against Sri Lanka in February, where his replacement Sahibzada Farhan scored a century opening the innings.
The pattern was already visible. Babar had been left out of the Asian Games squad as well, and with Farhan, Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz offering aggressive top-order options, the selectors chose form over reputation. Hesson’s public line — that Babar returns “when required” — leaves the door open without promising a date.
Reaction has split the fanbase. Critics of the decision call it disrespectful to Pakistan’s most consistent batter of the last decade; supporters argue T20 cricket has moved on and the team must too. Either way, the debate will follow every Pakistan series until Babar either returns or the new top order fails. Related: Babar Azam on Pakistan’s playing-XI strategy →
Leadership
The Sahibzada Farhan Captaincy Era
From Asian Games stand-in to full-time T20I captain in a single year.
Sahibzada Farhan’s rise has been the fastest in recent Pakistan cricket. He first led the side at the Asian Games, then announced himself on the world stage with a century against Namibia at the T20 World Cup 2026 — 11 fours and 4 sixes — and now, at 30, he is Pakistan’s T20I captain.
The appointment ends Salman Ali Agha’s brief tenure and signals a clear philosophy from Hesson and the PCB: attack from ball one. Farhan’s own game — strong against pace, fearless in the powerplay — is the template. His first assignment, the Sri Lanka home series, is as much an audition of the philosophy as of the captain.
Pakistan’s captaincy has been a revolving door in recent years — Babar, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Agha and now Farhan in quick succession. Stability at the top is what the new era needs most. Pakistan cricket news: the team and squad in full →
The Team
Pakistan’s Current T20I Squad
The 15-man squad for the Sri Lanka home series, October 2026.
| Player | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan (c) | Opener | New T20I captain |
| Saim Ayub | Opener / all-rounder | Powerplay aggressor |
| Fakhar Zaman | Top order | Recalled |
| Hasan Nawaz | Middle order | Young stroke-maker |
| Abdul Samad | Middle order | Finisher |
| Khawaja Nafay (wk) | Wicketkeeper-batter | Gloves |
| Shadab Khan | All-rounder | Listed in squad reports |
| Abrar Ahmed | Spinner | Mystery spin |
| Sufiyan Moqim | Spinner | Left-arm option |
| Arafat Minhas | All-rounder | Spin-bowling all-rounder |
| Maaz Sadaqat | All-rounder | Utility pick |
| Naseem Shah | Fast bowler | Recalled spearhead |
| Mohammad Salman Mirza | Fast bowler | New-ball option |
| Muhammad Imran Randhawa | All-rounder | Uncapped |
| Razaullah | — | Uncapped |
Notable absentees: Babar Azam, Shadab Khan (in some reports), Salman Ali Agha. The squad leans young — five players under 25 — which is exactly the point of the rebuild. For the structures feeding this team, see Pakistan’s domestic cricket teams and tournaments.
Coming Up
Hong Kong Sixes 2026: Title Defence
Pakistan are the defending champions — and India await on 30 October.
The Hong Kong Sixes 2026 runs from 30 October to 1 November at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground, and Pakistan enter as defending champions — the most successful team in the tournament’s history with six titles, the latest won in 2025 when they beat Kuwait by 43 runs in the final. Abbas Afridi, whose 52 off 11 balls starred in that final, has been named captain.
The seven-man squad: Abbas Afridi (c), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Muhammad Shahzad and Saad Masood, with Raza Kitchlew as team manager. Pakistan are in Pool C with India and the UAE — opening against the UAE at 7:35am PST on 30 October before the marquee India clash at 11:15am PST the same day. The team departs for Hong Kong on 28 October.
One name to watch: Muhammad Shahzad, who recently smashed the fastest first-class century by a Pakistani — 49 balls — for Pakistan Television in the President’s Trophy. In a six-over format, that kind of ball-striking is gold.
Never Miss a Story
How to Follow Pak Cricket News
Where Pakistan cricket news actually breaks — and how to read it.
The PCB announces first. Squad announcements, schedules and appointments come from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s official channels — everything else is commentary. Bookmark the PCB’s announcements page and the ICC’s tournament hubs for fixtures.
Domestic cricket is the pipeline. The President’s Trophy, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and Pakistan Cup are where the next Farhan or Shahzad emerges — our domestic cricket guide maps every team and tournament that matters.
The PSL is the shop window. The Pakistan Super League remains the primary audition for national selection — see the PSL 2026 standings for who impressed last season.
Watch the calendar, not just the scorecard. Pakistan’s 2026 has run T20 World Cup → Asian Games → Sri Lanka home series → Hong Kong Sixes without pause. Selection news — like the Babar call — usually breaks in the gaps between tournaments, when squads are named.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions Pakistanis ask most about the national team — answered.
Who is Pakistan’s T20 captain now?
Sahibzada Farhan — appointed Pakistan’s T20I captain in October 2026, succeeding Salman Ali Agha. He first led the side at the Asian Games earlier in the year.
Why was Babar Azam dropped from the Pakistan team?
Babar managed only 91 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 112.34 at the T20 World Cup 2026 and was benched for the Super Eight. Coach Mike Hesson says he will return “when required” — the door is open, not shut.
When is Pakistan’s next match?
Pakistan are playing Sri Lanka in three T20Is at Rawalpindi (9–13 October 2026). After that, the Hong Kong Sixes run from 30 October to 1 November 2026.
When is the next Pakistan vs India cricket match?
30 October 2026 — Pakistan face India in the Hong Kong Sixes at 11:15am PST, in Pool C of the six-a-side tournament.
How many Hong Kong Sixes titles has Pakistan won?
Six — the most by any team. Pakistan are the defending champions, having beaten Kuwait by 43 runs in the 2025 final.
Who is Pakistan’s cricket coach?
Mike Hesson is Pakistan’s head coach, overseeing the current rebuild around young stroke-makers and the new captain Sahibzada Farhan.
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