Sri Lanka bat first as Razaullah and Imran Randhawa debut in Pakistan T20I series opener
Sri Lanka bat first as Razaullah and Imran Randhawa debut in Pakistan T20I series opener
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first against Pakistan in the opening Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, as the hosts handed international debuts to two new faces under a new captain.
Sahibzada Farhan, leading Pakistan’s T20I side on home soil for the first time, brought in 21-year-old fast bowler Razaullah and all-rounder Imran Randhawa for their maiden T20I caps. Kusal Mendis, captaining Sri Lanka, had no hesitation in batting first after calling correctly at the toss.
The series opener begins a short home assignment that continues with the second and third T20Is in Rawalpindi on October 11 and 13. It is the ninth bilateral T20I series between the two sides.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I: a new era under Farhan
Farhan’s appointment as T20I captain marks a clear changing of the guard. Pakistan named a heavily revised squad after the Asian Games, where the team took the silver medal, with Salman Ali Agha dropped and three fresh faces earning maiden call-ups.
Razaullah’s rise has been rapid. The right-arm fast bowler from Upper Dir made his Test debut against England and has now been fast-tracked into the white-ball side after impressing in domestic cricket. Randhawa, a seam-bowling all-rounder, also earned his first call-up on the back of strong domestic performances.
Farhan hinted before the match that Fakhar Zaman would partner him at the top of the order. “We played with Fakhar in the last game and he played a very good innings,” he said. “The right-left combination is also important in T20 cricket, so most probably we will go with that combination.”
The teams for the series opener
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Hassan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Imran Randhawa, Razaullah, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (captain), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara.
Naseem Shah’s return is another talking point. The fast bowler plays his first T20I since February, while Fakhar Zaman’s experience strengthens a batting line-up featuring the in-form Hassan Nawaz and Maaz Sadaqat. Abrar Ahmed, ranked second among T20I bowlers in the ICC rankings, leads a spin attack that includes Shadab Khan.
History favours the hosts
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have met in 30 T20Is, with Pakistan winning 18 and Sri Lanka 12. Pakistan have won four of the sides’ eight previous bilateral T20I series, with three ending level.
Sri Lanka’s only series victory over Pakistan came in Lahore in 2019, when the visitors completed a 3-0 clean sweep.
Farhan refused to take the opposition lightly. “In international cricket, there is no small or big team,” he said. “We have to approach every game seriously.”
When are the remaining matches?
The second and third T20Is will also be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, on October 11 and 13. Matches are scheduled to start at 6pm PKT, with the toss at 5.30pm.
Who are Pakistan’s debutants?
Razaullah, a 21-year-old right-arm fast bowler from Upper Dir, and seam-bowling all-rounder Imran Randhawa both received their first T20I caps in the series opener.
What is Pakistan’s T20I record against Sri Lanka?
Pakistan lead the head-to-head 18-12 across 30 T20Is and have won four of the eight previous bilateral series between the sides.
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