Pakistan Cricket Team 2026: Squad, Fixtures and Rankings
The Pakistan cricket team has a packed home season in October 2026, with a T20I series against Sri Lanka and an ODI tri-series against England and Sri Lanka giving selectors a clear look at form ahead of bigger assignments. As reported on 15 October 2026, the squads are settled, the fixtures are confirmed and the management structure is in place under head coach Mike Hesson.
The Pakistan cricket team enters this phase with a clear split in leadership: Sahibzada Farhan captains the T20I side after leading Pakistan at the Asian Games, while Shaheen Shah Afridi continues to lead the ODI side in the tri-series.
Pakistan Cricket Team T20I Squad vs Sri Lanka
The PCB announced a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 9, 11 and 13 October 2026. Sahibzada Farhan leads the side, with Khawaja Nafay included as wicketkeeper. The squad is: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Moqim.
The composition shows the the national side continuing to blend experience with youth, with senior all-rounders like Shadab Khan supporting emerging names such as Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat and Razaullah.
ODI Squad for the Tri-Series
For the seven-match ODI tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka, the the team named a 16-member squad under Shaheen Shah Afridi. Babar Azam returns to the ODI group alongside the pace trio of Shaheen, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf. The squad is: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Moqim.
The tri-series runs from 18 to 31 October: three matches in Rawalpindi (Pakistan v Sri Lanka on 18 Oct, Pakistan v England on 20 Oct, Sri Lanka v England on 22 Oct), then three league games and the final in Lahore at the Gaddafi Stadium (Pakistan v England on 25 Oct, Pakistan v Sri Lanka on 27 Oct, Sri Lanka v England on 29 Oct, and the final on 31 Oct). Each team plays the other two twice, with the top two meeting in the final.
Team Management and Coaches
The the men in green management for the series is headed by team manager Naveed Akram Cheema, with Mike Hesson continuing as head coach, Shaun Tait as bowling coach, Michael Smith as batting coach and Mansoor Amjad as fielding coach. Muhammad Tahir serves as physiotherapist and Grant Luden as strength and conditioning coach, while analysts and media managers have been assigned separately for the Rawalpindi and Lahore legs.
Hong Kong Sixes Title Defence
Separately, the the side’s six-a-side unit heads to Hong Kong as defending champions of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, held at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground from 30 October to 1 November. Bowling all-rounder Abbas Afridi captains a youthful seven-member squad, drawn in Group C alongside India and the UAE.
For related coverage see our guides to the Pakistan cricket schedule and the PSL 2026 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who captains the the national side in T20Is?
Sahibzada Farhan captains the the team in the T20I series against Sri Lanka in October 2026, after leading the side at the Asian Games.
Who captains the the men in green in ODIs?
Shaheen Shah Afridi continues to lead the the side in the ODI tri-series against England and Sri Lanka.
When and where is the ODI tri-series played?
The tri-series runs from 18 to 31 October 2026, with the first three matches in Rawalpindi and the remaining league games plus the final in Lahore.
Who is the head coach of the the national side?
Mike Hesson continues as head coach, supported by Shaun Tait (bowling), Michael Smith (batting) and Mansoor Amjad (fielding).
Is Babar Azam in the current the team squads?
Yes. Babar Azam is part of the 16-member ODI squad for the tri-series, returning to the senior ODI group alongside Shaheen, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
Read the official squad announcement at Cricket World on Pakistan’s squads and the tri-series guide at Pakera on the ODI tri-series.
Frequently Asked Questions: Pakistan Cricket Team 2026
The Pakistan cricket team in 2026 blends an electrifying pace attack with a batting line-up searching for consistency. This FAQ covers the Pakistan cricket team squad 2026 picture, Pakistan cricket fixtures 2026, the Pakistan cricket rankings across formats, and the Pakistan team captain 2026 leadership setup.
Pakistan Cricket Team Squad 2026: Strengths and Gaps
The Pakistan cricket team squad 2026 core is built around world-class fast bowling — Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf form an attack few teams enjoy facing. Batting remains the variable: Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan provide the spine, but middle-order finishing and spin-bowling depth are the selection puzzles. Domestic performers from the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and PSL keep pressure on incumbents, which is healthy.
Pakistan Cricket Fixtures 2026
Pakistan cricket fixtures 2026 span home and away series across formats plus ICC events. Home series in Pakistan continue to be special occasions — full stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Multan create an atmosphere visiting teams genuinely fear. Fans planning to attend should buy through official PCB channels; counterfeit tickets remain a problem for high-demand matches.
Pakistan Cricket Rankings Explained
Pakistan cricket rankings fluctuate with the FTP cycle — strong home seasons lift the team, tough away tours test it. Rankings matter practically: they determine seedings and sometimes direct qualification for ICC events. Rather than obsessing over weekly movements, watch the trend across a full season; that tells you whether the Pakistan cricket team is genuinely improving.
Leadership and Direction
The Pakistan team captain 2026 setup shapes tactics and selection. Pakistan’s recent history shows how quickly captaincy narratives swing — support through rebuilding phases matters more than reactive criticism. The deeper question for the Pakistan cricket team is structural: consistent domestic cricket, clear selection policies and modern coaching will decide the next five years more than any single appointment.
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