Sahibzada Farhan has been among the most explosive batters in T20Is. Image Credits: AFPSahibzada Farhan has gradually established himself as Pakistan’s most prolific T20 batter over the past year or so. With Pakistan moving on from the veteran duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in search of more explosive options, Farhan has emerged as an ideal replacement. He brings exactly the kind of freshness and firepower they were looking for.More importantly, Farhan has backed his explosive approach with impressive consistency. He has delivered across conditions and at every stage of the game, including the T20 World Cup. His performances have not only cemented his place in the side but also earned him greater responsibility, with Pakistan appointing him their T20I captain.Sahibzada Farhan’s rise as a T20I batterSahibzada Farhan is the third run-scorer among full-member nations since 2025Farhan made his T20I debut in 2018 at just 22, but couldn’t impress immediately. He registered a few low scores and was dropped soon after three matches. Even when he earned another chance six years later in 2024, Farhan couldn’t really dominate and again endured low scores in New Zealand and Australia.But then came a resurgence last year. After nine underwhelming returns in international cricket, Sahibzada Farhan finally found his groove against Bangladesh in a home series. Since then, he’s been unstoppable and has achieved his peak as a batter.Since 2025, Farhan has accumulated 1392 runs at an average of 36.63 and a strike rate of 142.47 in 40 T20I outings. He also has 12 fifties and two centuries in this period. Among full member nations, only Abhishek Sharma (1780) and Brian Bennett (1469) have scored more runs than Farhan, but both have played more matches too.Also Read: Pakistan Predicted Playing XI vs Sri Lanka- 3rd T20I, SL tour of PAK 2026His value is underlined by comparing how much better he performs than his counterparts in the same match. In all games involving Farhan, other openers have collectively averaged 23.03 and struck at 136.57 since 2025. That shows how good he’s been and the massive difference he's made at the top.Take his knock against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi last year, for instance. On a pitch where almost every batter struggled to get going, Sahibzada Farhan played a marvellous 80-run knock at a strike rate of 177.77, hitting 11 boundaries to help Pakistan chase down 129 in 15.3 overs. Had he not been so dominant from his end, Sri Lanka could have stifled the batters with their bowling attack on a tricky surface.Powerplay exploitsPakistan wanted to get rid of Babar and Rizwan to get brisk starts during the field restrictions. They started slowly and barely used the powerplay to hit enough boundaries with risks. Sahibzada Farhan has solved some of this issue now.Since 2025, Farhan has struck at 134.31 and hit a boundary every 4.82 deliveries in the first six overs in T20Is. In the same matches, other batters have struck at 126.19 and have a balls-per-boundary ratio of 5.23. So, batting has not been as fluent in games involving Farhan, with the pitches offering something for bowlers, but he’s still been cut above the rest.Against pace in particular, Farhan has been absolutely magnificent and put them under pressure almost every time. He has averaged 37.50 and struck at 140 against fast bowlers in the powerplay. Moreover, the batter has found the fence every 4.57 balls.Usman @Usman_56Offical What a Monster Six By Sahibzada Farhan 🥵🥶 Dream hit for Slogger Abshikek Sharma 🥶 🥵 Oct 9, 2026, 8:55 PM England had Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton to target Pakistani openers upfront in Pallekele at T20 World Cup 2026. Archer even got an extended three-over spell in the powerplay. But Farhan still got past them and hit three boundaries, providing stability after Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha departed early.Similarly, he went berserk against Sri Lanka when Pakistan needed a win by big margin later in the tournament. Sahibzada Farhan has played numerous such knocks from the top, even when surfaces haven’t been fluent for shot-making. That has helped his team cover for below-par performances from the other end.Against spin, he’s had his issues. His average and strike rate fall to 34.50 and 121.76, respectively, while his balls-per-boundary ratio reduces to 5.48. Farhan also needs to work on his dot-ball issues against both pace and spin.Sahibzada Farhan shapes up nicely for T20 World Cup 2028Sahibzada Farhan vs pace since 2025Sahibzada Farhan is not a complete product yet. He also has his issues as a batter. But Farhan is slowly developing nicely into Pakistan’s mainstay in this format.He will be crucial for Pakistan moving forward, as they build towards the T20 World Cup 2028. The tournament will be played in Australia, where pace will dominate, and batters with faulty technique won’t get away. Pakistan have multiple batters who face issues with hard lengths and raw pace.Star Sports @StarSportsIndia A Masterclass in Batting! 💯 Sahibzada Farhan reaches a magnificent century! A truly dominant display of power and precision to put his side in the driver's seat. 🏏💥 ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #PAKvNAM | LIVE NOW ➡️ Feb 18, 2026, 4:49 PM That’s where Farhan will need to take charge. He’s done reasonably well and handles pacers better than most batters around. Moreover, he’s equally good against shorter lengths.On back-of-a-length deliveries, Farhan has a strike rate of 147.20 and hits a boundary every five deliveries against pace since 2025. Similarly, his strike rate and balls-per-boundary ratio stand at 55 and 211.54 against short lengths.He’s better equipped to handle pace and will need to lead from the front in this batting unit. If Farhan keeps improving and provides rapid starts, Pakistan’s issues will reduce in the batting department. Not many batters can do what Farhan does in the current pool of local players.Maybe Pakistan could have avoided handing him the captaincy since he’s still far from a complete product. It would be pivotal for Farhan to handle both responsibilities well. He’s progressing well, but shouldn’t go the way several other Pakistani talents do after an initial burst.Also Read: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Live Streaming, 3rd T20I Live Telecast- Where to Watch PAK vs SL 2026 Live On TV, OTT, App?
