Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson wants opening batter Sahibzada Farhan to replace Salman Ali Agha as T20I captain, media reports have claimed.
Reports noted that Hesson wants Farhan to lead Pakistan in the home series against Sri Lanka. Farhan is already leading the 15-member squad at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, where the men’s competition starts on Thursday and the medal matches take place on October 3.
Reports added that the selection committee and team management are also weighing the move. The board plans to give chances to young players and build a pool for the 2028 T20 World Cup. Reports said that Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf are unlikely to return for the series.
Pakistan will play three T20Is against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 9, 11 and 13.
Hesson spoke to reporters in Karachi on Wednesday, on the third day of a training camp before the team left for Japan. He said that the Asian Games give Farhan a chance to build experience as a leader.
“For Sahibzada Farhan, the Asian Games are an excellent opportunity to gain captaincy experience,” Hesson said.
Hesson also said Farhan’s role in Japan will not decide Pakistan’s long-term captaincy plans. He said the selection committee and the PCB chairman will make those decisions.
He added that the tournament gives new and talented players a platform to show what they can do.
