Are Pakistan turning over a new leaf in T20 cricket?

Pakistan's cricket team has seemingly turned a new leaf in T20 cricket, according to recent results. In a third match of a three-game series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, Pakistan secured an 82-run victory, with new captain and opener Sahibzada Farhan scoring a quick 73. The young middle-order batsman Maaz Sadaqat also contributed with a blistering 96 off just 51 balls.

These results come after Pakistan struggled in recent ICC tournaments and failed to reach the semi-finals. The team has been working to turn things around, with a focus on T20 specialists. Farhan, ranked third in the world among T20 batters, was named captain for this series. Maaz Sadaqat, with the unique combination of over 1000 runs, a 30-plus average, and a 150-plus strike rate in T20s, also played a crucial role.

The team management has backed players who are dedicated to the 20-over format, with older players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan seemingly phased out. Hasan Nawaz and Salman Mirza, both with extensive experience in T20Is, are expected to get increased playing time. Captain Farhan has made it clear that the team aims to score more than 200 runs in each match, a significant statement for a side traditionally known for inconsistent performances.