Pakistan Announce White-Ball Squads: Shaheen Afridi to Lead ODI...
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its white-ball squads for upcoming home series, naming Shaheen Shah Afridi as ODI captain and Sahibzada...
By GT24x7 Reporter··GlobalToday24x7
PCB Announces White-Ball Squads with Leadership Reorganisation
LAHORE — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) National Selection Committee officially unveiled the national Men's One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) squads on Monday, October 5, 2026, introducing notable leadership changes ahead of a busy home international schedule. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed captain of the 16-member ODI squad for the upcoming Tri-Series featuring England and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, opening batsman Sahibzada Farhan has been handed the reins as T20I captain for the three-match series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
The squad announcements mark a strategic recalibration by the PCB following recent international tournaments. Former captain Babar Azam has been retained in the ODI setup under Afridi's leadership but has been omitted from the 15-member T20I contingent, signaling a tactical shift in the team's top-order composition for the shortest format of the game.
Sahibzada Farhan Retains T20 Leadership as Senior Stars Return
Sahibzada Farhan's appointment as T20I captain comes on the heels of his leadership during the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where he guided a young Pakistani side to a silver medal finish after a competitive final against India. Recognizing his leadership stability and top-order consistency, the selection panel opted to appoint Farhan as the full T20I captain, replacing Salman Ali Agha.
The 15-member T20I squad sees the return of several high-profile senior international players who were rested during the continental games. Opening batsman Fakhar Zaman, senior leg-spinner Shadab Khan, and fast bowler Naseem Shah have all returned to the T20I squad. Additionally, mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed and promising young all-rounder Arafat Minhas have been included to strengthen the spin department for the matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Shaheen Afridi to Lead ODI Unit in High-Stakes Tri-Series
In the 50-over format, premier fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi resumes team leadership as captain for the upcoming home ODI Tri-Series involving Sri Lanka and England. The 16-member squad combines experienced core performers with emerging domestic talent, aiming to build team cohesion ahead of future ICC multi-nation tournaments.
Alongside former skipper Babar Azam, the ODI squad includes seasoned wicketkeeper-batsmen Mohammad Rizwan and Saad Baig, dynamic opening batter Saim Ayub, all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Salman Ali Agha, and fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. Uncapped players such as wicketkeeper Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and pacer Razaullah have also been included to expand the national bench strength.
Schedule Breakdown and Venue Allocations
The international home season will commence with the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, scheduled from October 9 to October 13, 2026. All three evening matches will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Following the conclusion of the T20I series, Pakistan will host the ODI Tri-Series featuring Sri Lanka and England. The opening three fixtures of the round-robin tournament will be held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium starting October 18, before the tournament shifts to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for the remaining group matches and the final scheduled for late October. PCB officials confirmed that pitch preparations and security protocols across both venues have been finalized to ensure a seamless international viewing experience.