Pakistan handed Twenty20 International caps to all-rounders Razaullah and Imran Randhawa as Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening fixture of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. Both Razaullah and Imran made their Test debuts in the third and final Test against England last month. It was the former, however, who made it a memorable outing for himself, scoring a quickfire 81 in Pakistan’s second innings after having taken four wickets in the first. Imran, a domestic cricket veteran, on the other hand, took two wickets in that match, but comes into the Pakistan T20 side with the experience of 70 domestic games in the format. The right-handed batter and right-arm medium pacer put on show some crucial performances for Multan Sultans in this year’s Pakistan Super League season. The Sri Lanka series marks Sahibzada Farhan’s first assignment as Pakistan’s full-time T20 captain after leading the national side at the recent Asian Games, where Pakistan won a silver medal after losing to India in the final. The 30-year-old opener, who has played 48 T20Is, said on Thursday that he was excited about leading Pakistan on home soil and confident that the new combination could produce results. “This is the first time I am representing my country as a captain. It is a great honour for me,” Farhan told reporters at a pre-series press conference. “There is pressure, but it is not that we will let that pressure sit on our heads.” He said his experience of leading domestic sides and the Asian Games team had prepared him to handle the demands of captaincy. Farhan’s elevation is the most visible sign of a wider change in Pakistan’s T20 setup. Established names Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are absent, while Salman Ali Agha has also been removed from the T20 leadership group. Farhan, however, said the doors remained open for senior players. “Babar and Rizwan are experienced players and have remained among the world’s best. They can return to the national side anytime,” he said. “This is the Pakistan team; it doesn’t belong to anyone. Doors are open for everyone.” Pakistan are expected to adopt a more aggressive approach, with Farhan indicating that the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz and Maaz Sadaqat would be encouraged to play an attacking brand of cricket. The squad contains a blend of youth and experience. Fakhar and Shadab Khan provide seniority, so does Naseem Shah, who is also returns to T20I cricket after his last appearance against Sri Lanka during the T20 World Cup in February. Teams: Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (captain/wicket-keeper), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Saim Ayub, Maaz Sadaqat, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, 6 Khawaja Nafay (wicket-keeper), Shadab Khan, Imran Randhawa, Razaullah, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
Razaullah, Imran Randhawa handed debuts as Sri Lanka win toss, bat first against Pakistan in first T20
Pakistan handed Twenty20 International caps to all-rounders Razaullah and Imran Randhawa as Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening fixture of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. Both Razaullah and Imran made their Test debuts in the third and final Test against England last month. It was the former, however, who made it a memorable outing for himself, scoring a quickfire 81 in Pakistan’s second innings after having taken four wickets in the first. Imran, a domestic cricket veteran, on the other hand, took two wickets in that match, but comes into the Pakistan T20 side with the experience of 70 domestic games in the format. The right-handed batter and right-arm medium pacer put on show some crucial performances for Multan Sultans in this year’s Pakistan Super League season. The Sri Lanka series marks Sahibzada Farhan’s first assignment as Pakistan’s full-time T20 captain after leading the national side at the recent Asian Games, where Pakistan won a silver medal after losing to India in the final. The 30-year-old opener, who has played 48 T20Is, said on Thursday that he was excited about leading Pakistan on home soil and confident that the new combination could produce results. “This is the first time I am representing my country as a captain. It is a great honour for me,” Farhan told reporters at a pre-series press conference. “There is pressure, but it is not that we will let that pressure sit on our heads.” He said his experience of leading domestic sides and the Asian Games team had prepared him to handle the demands of captaincy. Farhan’s elevation is the most visible sign of a wider change in Pakistan’s T20 setup. Established names Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are absent, while Salman Ali Agha has also been removed from the T20 leadership group. Farhan, however, said the doors remained open for senior players. “Babar and Rizwan are experienced players and have remained among the world’s best. They can return to the national side anytime,” he said. “This is the Pakistan team; it doesn’t belong to anyone. Doors are open for everyone.” Pakistan are expected to adopt a more aggressive approach, with Farhan indicating that the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz and Maaz Sadaqat would be encouraged to play an attacking brand of cricket. The squad contains a blend of youth and experience. Fakhar and Shadab Khan provide seniority, so does Naseem Shah, who is also returns to T20I cricket after his last appearance against Sri Lanka during the T20 World Cup in February. Teams: Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (captain/wicket-keeper), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Saim Ayub, Maaz Sadaqat, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, 6 Khawaja Nafay (wicket-keeper), Shadab Khan, Imran Randhawa, Razaullah, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed