Silver medallists Pakistan players pose after 2026 Asian Games (Source: AFP Photos)Pakistan, just after announcing a newly-looked squad without Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, will begin a new era under Sahibzada Farhan when they face Sri Lanka on Friday (October 9) at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.There will be three T20Is between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and Rawalpindi will host all three fixtures.Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I PreviewSri Lanka, meanwhile, will be led by Kusal Mendis. The likes of Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Eshan Malinga and Dunith Wellalage will be equally important for them if they want to ruin the beginning of the Sahibzada Farhan era.Pakistan have made quite a few changes in their T20I set-up, and thus, it will be very interesting to see how they find their best possible playing XI.Pakistan Likely Playing XI vs Sri Lanka- 1st T20I, 2026Openers And Top-Order: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan (C), Fakhar ZamanWith many big names coming back after Asian Games 2026, Pakistan might promote Saim Ayub to open with Sahibzada Farhan. Ayub and Farhan were their openers in T20 World Cup 2026, and they could reunite to form Pakistan playing XI versus Sri Lanka to make room for others.ALSO READList Of All Pakistan T20I CaptainsIn all likelihood, Pakistan will ask veteran Fakhar Zaman to bat at No. 3. Zaman has done incredible job throghout his career for the country in white-ball cricket, but his inclusion, at the same time, will leave Maaz Sadaqat out of Pakistan playing XI.Middle-Order And All-Rounders: Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Arafat MinhasPakistan will keep Hasan Nawaz at No. 4. Nawaz made headlines with an outstanding knock against India in the Asian Games 2026 final, and he should keep his place.Wicket-keeper Khawaja Nafay, who replaced Usman Khan, will follow Nawaz, while Abdul Samad, another hard-hitting finisher, will come to bat at No. 6.Meanwhile, Nos. 7 and 8 will be kept for Shadab Khan and Arafat Minhas, two of the best available players for Pakistan among spin-bowling all-rounders.Bowlers: Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Abrar AhmedWith no Shaheen Afridi there, Pakistan are expected to ask Naseem Shah to lead the pace attack. He will the joined by Salman Mirza, who was ruled out of the Asian Games.To complete Pakistan's playing XI, Abrar Ahmed, the No. 1 ranked T20I bowler, will come at No. 11.Pakistan's Predicted Playing XI vs Sri Lanka For 1st T20ISaim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan (C), Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Abrar AhmedALSO READPakistan England Sri Lanka Tri Series Gets Last Minute Broadcaster After Blackout Fears
