Live Update: Razaullah and Mohammad Imran make their T20I debuts as Sri Lanka batsmen in Rawalpindi. Pakistan’s new T20I ctain Sahibzada Farhan says they would have played anyway. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are all smiling after dismissing Pat Cummins. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, all smiling after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 The smile of a champion – Mohammed Siraj picked up five wickets in a ten-ball game, India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup Final, Colombo, September 17, 2023 Alyssa Healy poses with the Trophy after Australia retained the Ashes, England vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Women’s Ashes, Taunton, July 18, 2023 A general view of Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka, 3rd match, Jaipur, October 17, 2006 A general view of the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Citals, IPL 2024, Mullanpur, March 23, 2024 Haryana Cricket Association Bansi Lal Stadium in Lahli, Haryana vs. Rajasthan, 1st Semi, Ranji Trophy 2011-12, Rohtak, Day 1, January 10, 2012 He started slowly and showed Roston Chase the respect the bowler deserved but Abhishek Sharma still reached his 50 in just 18 balls, thwarting the well West Indies’ well-thought-out plans Abhishek Sharma’s 30-ball 69, an Indore pitch whose low bounce made batting difficult, gave India an above-par score in the end. Arshdeep Singh celebrates after bowling Sherfane Rutherford, India vs West Indies, 3rd T20I, Indore, October 11, 2026. His four catches, including two superb leg-slip attempts, helped the visitors to a 106-run stand. Advance in Durban Not reversing the sweep when Steven Smith is at slip, South Africa v Australia, 1st Test, Day 3, Durban, October 11, 2026 Aiden Markram fell against the run of play, South Africa v Australia, 1st Test, Day 3, Durban, October 11, 2026 Steven Smith supported the bowlers with four catches, including two stunning tries that took him past Joe Root for the highest number Test catches taken by all Pats Cummins, not a wicketkeeper, celebrates a wicket, South Africa v Australia, 1st Test, Day 3, Durban, October 11, 2026 Around 45 overs were lost in three days of play, which must be taken into account in the teams’ calculations. Poor light stopped play early under gray skies, South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test, Day 1, Durban, October 9, 2026 Maaz Sadaqat hits a fine half-century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi, October 11, 2026 Chasing their 43rd Ranji Trophy title, Mumbai have a new squad hungry for success after re-establishing themselves in the lineup has. Siddhesh Lad celebrates his century, Mumbai vs Puducherry, Ranji Trophy, Day 2, Mumbai, November 18, 2025. Kotian worked with Sunil Joshi and Jatin Paranje to sharpen his weons ahead of the new season. Tanush Kotian Bowls, India A vs South Africa A, 1st Unofficial Test, Day 1, CoE 1, October 30, 2025. India’s biggest players are in action in the first round as others The sidelines will be keen to make their case. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have made a watchful start, India vs West Indies, 2nd Test, Delhi, Day 1, October 10, 2025. The Gujarat bowler is looking to play his first full domestic red-ball season since 2020 and pass on his lessons from his 15-16 years of trial and error to the young players in the team, for whom Harshal Patel promises success an lbw, India vs South Africa, 1st T20I, Thiruvananthuram, September 28, 2022 Hasan Mahmud has now taken five wickets in four different countries and has gone where few bowlers – and not just Bangladesh – have gone. Hasan Mahmud destroyed Afghanistan’s tail, Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, only Test, Abu Dhabi, Day 3, October 11, 2026 Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto gives Bangladesh a big lead after Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain’s goal. Bangladesh ended the third day of the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi with a 329-run lead and four second-innings wickets in hand. Hasan Mahmud dismisses Sediqullah Atal, Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, Test only, Day 2, Abu Dhabi, October 10, 2026. Aliss Al Islam scores a hat-trick on BPL debut, Dhaka Dynamites vs Rangpur Riders, BPL 2018-19, Dhaka, January 11, 2019 Nigam’s all-round performance where he scored 40 and then dismissed Philippe, which earned him the Player of the Match award. Suryansh Shege smashes one over mid-wicket, India A vs Australia A, 3rd One Day Match, Puducherry, October 11, 2026. Suryansh Sheedge celebrates a wicket, India A vs Australia A, 1st One Day Match, Puducherry, October 6, 2026. Priyansh Arya is in the India A team that will face the visiting Australia A team over three days, and counts on his high-risk play and high reward for delivering the results to him. Priyansh Arya plays on the field, Sri Lanka A vs India A, Match 1, One-Day Tri-Series, Dambulla, June 9, 2026. In search of their 43rd Ranji Trophy title, Mumbai have a new clan hungry for success after re-establishing themselves in the lineup. Siddhesh Lad celebrates his century, Mumbai vs Puducherry, Ranji Trophy, Day 2, Mumbai, November 18, 2025 The Gujarat bowler is looking to play his first full domestic red-ball season since 2020 and impart his lessons from his 15-16 years of trial and error to the youngsters in the team. Harshal Patel successfully bowls for an LBW, India vs South Africa, 1st T20I, Thiruvananthuram, September 28, 2022 Kotian worked with Sunil Joshi and Jatin Paranje to refine his weon ahead of the new season Tanush Kotian bowls, India A vs South Africa A, 1st Unofficial Test, Day 1, CoE 1, October 30, 2025 India’s greatest players are in action in the first round, while others on the sidelines are eager to make their point clear. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal made a watchful start, India vs West Indies, 2nd Test, Delhi, Day 1, October 10, 2025 Imran Randhawa, Razaullah and Sajid Khan all smiles before the third Test, England vs Pakistan, 3rd Test, Birmingham, September 8, 2026. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first.
In the first of three T20Is in Rawalpindi, Kusal Mendis decided to do what Sri Lanka had done in all three matches in their win over Pakistan in 2019 and wanted to set a target for Pakistan. Wanindu Hasaranga, the player of the series on this occasion, is missing due to injury but Mendis expressed his confidence in the newer and younger players on this tour. “Compared to England, these [conditions] are a little different,” Mendis said.
“The new players are playing very well at national level. I have a lot of trust in the young players.” Sahibzada Farhan, Pakistan’s new ctain, said he would have bowled first anyway to familiarize himself with the conditions. Pakistan have two debutants in their team, with fast bowler Razaullah, whose exploits with bat and ball made him something of a cult hero in Birmingham, and fast midfielder Mohammad Imran, making his first international pearances in the format.
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (ct) Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Keep Imran Randhawa, Razaullah and Sajid Khan all smiling ahead of the third Test, England v Pakistan, 3rd Test, Birmingham, September 8, 2026 [File Photo] Mohammad Imran and Razaullah made their T20I debut • Gareth Copley/
