Pakistan cricket news moves fast — new captains, dropped superstars, home series and title defences all in a single month. This is your hub for the Pakistan national cricket team: who runs it, who plays in it, where it stands in October 2026, and where every story breaks first.
Quick answer: Pakistan’s T20I side is led by new captain Sahibzada Farhan under head coach Mike Hesson, is hosting Sri Lanka for three T20Is (9–13 October 2026) with Babar Azam dropped, and defends the Hong Kong Sixes title from 30 October. The PCB announces all squad and schedule news first.
In this guide: The current setup · Key players right now · The 2026 calendar so far · Where news breaks · FAQs
Pakistan Cricket: The Current Setup
The Pakistan national men’s team — the Men in Green — is administered by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). As of October 2026, the T20I side is captained by Sahibzada Farhan, who succeeded Salman Ali Agha, with Mike Hesson as head coach driving a rebuild around young, aggressive batters.
The defining selection call of the year: Babar Azam’s omission from the T20I squad after scoring 91 runs in six matches at the T20 World Cup 2026. It is the clearest signal yet that the team is being rebuilt for intent over reputation — our Pak Cricket News guide has the full story.
Key Players Right Now
- Sahibzada Farhan (c) — opener and new T20I captain; scored a century against Namibia at the T20 World Cup 2026.
- Saim Ayub — the powerplay aggressor, central to the new philosophy.
- Naseem Shah — recalled pace spearhead for the Sri Lanka series.
- Fakhar Zaman — the experienced top-order hand, back in the squad.
- Abrar Ahmed — the mystery-spin option in T20Is.
- Abbas Afridi — Hong Kong Sixes captain and defending champions’ talisman.
- Muhammad Shahzad — holder of the fastest first-class hundred by a Pakistani (49 balls).
The pipeline feeding these names is domestic cricket — every domestic team and tournament that matters — and the PSL shop window (PSL 2026 standings).
Pakistan’s 2026 Calendar So Far
It has been a relentless year: the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 (Pakistan reached the Super Eight), the Asian Games (silver medal, Farhan captaining), the Sri Lanka home T20I series (9–13 October, Rawalpindi), and the Hong Kong Sixes (30 October–1 November, defending champions). Between tournaments, the news cycle belongs to squad announcements — which is when stories like the Babar omission break. This week’s headlines, explained →
Where Pakistan Cricket News Breaks First
The PCB’s official channels announce squads, schedules and appointments before anyone else. The ICC covers tournament news; Pakistani sports channels and cricket portals provide the commentary and leaks. When a rumour contradicts an official PCB announcement, trust the announcement — Pakistan cricket’s rumour mill is the country’s most productive fiction industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the captain of the Pakistan cricket team?
Sahibzada Farhan is Pakistan’s T20I captain as of October 2026, appointed to succeed Salman Ali Agha. He first led the side at the Asian Games.
Is Babar Azam still in the Pakistan team?
Not in the current T20I squad. He was dropped for the Sri Lanka home series in October 2026 after a poor T20 World Cup; coach Mike Hesson says he will return “when required”.
What is Pakistan’s next cricket series?
After the Sri Lanka T20Is (9–13 October 2026), Pakistan defend the Hong Kong Sixes title (30 October–1 November), facing India on 30 October.
Who coaches Pakistan cricket team?
Mike Hesson is the head coach, leading the rebuild around young stroke-makers.
