Pakistan have announced their 15 member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 set to be played in India and Sri Lanka next month. Salman Ali Agha will lead the side and they have made some surprise
exclusions in the squad. Premium pacer Haris Rauf has been left out for this event. This is the first time Rauf has been dropped for an ICC events since he made his debut. Another expected omission was wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan who also does not find a place in the squad.
Babar Azam continues to be in the fold while Khawaja Nafay makes his inclusion to the squad as attacks backup wicket-keeper to Usman Khan. Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq form a strong spin department with Saim Ayub also an option. Considering they will be playing all their games in Sri Lanka it makes sense to have a spin heavy squad. Pacer Naseem Shah has also been left out with Mohammad Salman Mirza managing to pip him out.
During the announcement, the selector said that the naming of the squad had nothing to do with Pakistan’s ultimate call on participation. “We are selectors, and our job is to pick the team. We’ve announced the team very close to the deadline. The government will decide on our participation so I can say nothing on that front. That’s what the chairman has said, too, so we’ll wait for their decision.” He said.
Read More : PCB Chief Casts Doubt Over Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Participation After Bangladesh Exit
Pakistan is drawn in Group A alongside co-host and defending champion India, Netherlands, USA and Namibia.
If Pakistan make it to the semi-finals and final, both knockout matches will be hosted in Colombo. Otherwise, the semi-finals and final will take place in Kolkata and Ahmedabad. Pakistan will kick off their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo. They will then face the USA on February 10, arch-rivals India on February 15 and Namibia on February 18 in their final group-stage match.
Pakistan Squad T20 World Cup 2026:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
