Why Is Babar Azam Not Playing in PAK vs SL 1st T20I 2026 Match?
Babar Azam has been dropped from Pakistan's T20I squad for their series opener against Sri Lanka today, October 9, 2026. Sahibzada Farhan will lead the team in the 1st T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, following Azam's disappointing performance in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Rawalpindi is set for a new era in Pakistan T20I cricket as Sahibzada Farhan leads the national side for the first time in the opening T20 International against Sri Lanka in the ongoing PAK vs SL 1st T20I 2026. The significant team alteration sees former captain and batting stalwart Babar Azam omitted from the squad, a move that has sent ripples through the cricketing world. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Free Live Streaming in India: Watch PAK vs SL 1st T20I on Veto App.
The match, scheduled to commence at 6:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, marks the beginning of a three-match bilateral T20I series. The toss was won by Sri Lanka, and captain Kusal Medis opts to bat.
Why Is Babar Azam Not Playing in PAK vs SL 1st T20I 2026 Match?
The decision to drop Babar Azam stems from his subpar performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. During the tournament, Azam managed only 91 runs across six matches, striking at a rate of 112.34. His struggles led to him being benched for Pakistan's crucial Super Eight fixture against Sri Lanka in February, where Sahibzada Farhan notably scored a century opening the innings.
"Babar Azam will be brought back in T20 squad when required but we are missing him on Srilanka tour. We have got number of stroke batters who will get a chance in the absence of Babar Azam," commented Head Coach Mike Hesson, as per sources on October 4, 2026, indicating a strategic shift towards blooding new talent. This series offers an opportunity for a refreshed Pakistan squad, including uncapped players Razaullah and Muhammad Imran Randhawa, to showcase their abilities under new leadership.
Series Context and Head-to-Head
This T20I series forms the opening leg of Sri Lanka's extensive tour of Pakistan, which will also feature an ODI tri-series involving England and two Test matches later in the year. Rawalpindi Weather Forecast and Rain Chances for Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I 2026.
Historically, Pakistan holds an edge over Sri Lanka in T20 Internationals:
| Teams | Matches Played | Pakistan Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | 30 | 18 | 12 | 0 |
The most recent bilateral T20I series between the two nations took place in January 2026 in Sri Lanka, ending in a 1-1 draw with one match abandoned.
With new leadership and a renewed focus on emerging talent, Pakistan will be keen to start their home series with a convincing performance against a Sri Lankan side looking to bounce back from their recent T20I struggles. The series promises to be an engaging contest as both teams vie for supremacy in the shortest format.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2026 06:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
