Pakistan skipper vows to attack ahead of Sri Lanka series

Newly-appointed Pakistan T20I captain Sahibzada Farhan has vowed to ensure his side continues to play attacking cricket under his leadership, starting with their upcoming series at home against Sri Lanka that commences on Friday.

Farhan will lead Pakistan across the three-match series in Rawalpindi after he was catapulted into the top job to replace Salman Ali Agha following an impressive stint in charge as skipper at the Asian Games.

Pakistan showed glimpses of their best at the Asian Games as they secured the silver medal in Japan and Farhan wants his side to build on those efforts when they host Sri Lanka on home soil.

“I want the top order to bat according to the T20 mindset. Pakistan’s top-order batters play aggressively, just as I do,” Farhan said ahead of the series opener.

“There is a combination of young and senior players in the squad, and the presence of experienced players will help me as captain."

Those experienced players that Farhan refers to includes fellow top-order batter Fakhar Zaman and former skipper Shadab Khan, while pacer Naseem Shah and spinner Abrar Ahmed are among his other teammates with plenty of caps at international level in what is a new-look Pakistan squad.

White-ball stars like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan are among the players missing from Pakistan's 15-player squad, but Farhan left the door open for their recall in the future should their form warrant selection.

“This is the Pakistan team; it doesn’t belong to anyone,” Farhan said. 

“Doors are open for everyone.

"I am confident that this new combination is the best and will settle in this series."

Sri Lanka will take on Pakistan without the services of Wanindu Hasaranga, with the side's star all-rounder sidelined as he continues to recover from the hamstring injury he picked up during their series against England last month.

Sri Lanka fell to a 3-0 defeat in that series against England, but skipper Kusal Mendis was satisfied with certain aspects of his team's efforts across those three fixtures and believes they are well placed to perform well in Pakistan.

“In England we had a little bit bad series in T20, but we have more positive things in bowling and fielding,” Mendis said. 

“Different conditions compared to England and Pakistan. We planned so many things and we try so many new things.

“I know my players’ strength… they give 100 percent every match. I have a very good trust in my players. No doubt in anybody.”

Pakistan squad: Sahibzada Farhan (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Sufiyan Moqim

Sri Lanka squad: Kusal Mendis (c), 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, Eshan Malinga.

Series schedule:

First T20I: October 9, Rawalpindi
Second T20I: October 11, Rawalpindi
Third T20I: October 13, Rawalpindi