Pakistan have officially unveiled their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka. The announcement, made on 25 January 2026, confirms Salman Ali Agha as captain, while senior stars Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi make their much-anticipated return.
The biggest surprise from the selection is the omission of Haris Rauf, who misses out despite impressive performances in recent franchise leagues. Selectors cited team balance and suitability to Sri Lankan conditions as the main reasons behind the decision.
Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Netherlands, USA, and Namibia, with all their group-stage matches scheduled to be played in Colombo.
Pakistan’s Official T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
Pakistan Squad (15 Players):
- Salman Ali Agha (Captain) – Batting all-rounder
- Abrar Ahmed – Spinner
- Babar Azam – Top-order batter
- Faheem Ashraf – Pace all-rounder
- Fakhar Zaman – Top-order batter
- Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (WK) – Wicketkeeper-batter
- Mohammad Nawaz – Spin all-rounder
- Mohammad Salman Mirza – Fast bowler
- Naseem Shah – Fast bowler
- Sahibzada Farhan (WK) – Wicketkeeper-batter
- Saim Ayub – Batter
- Shaheen Shah Afridi – Fast bowler
- Shadab Khan – Spin all-rounder
- Usman Khan (WK) – Wicketkeeper-batter
- Usman Tariq – Spinner
Key Talking Points from the Squad Announcement
Senior Core Returns
The return of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah provides Pakistan with a strong and experienced spine. Babar’s presence adds stability at the top of the order, while Shaheen and Naseem lead a potent pace attack.
Haris Rauf Left Out
Haris Rauf’s exclusion has sparked debate among fans and experts. The selection panel emphasized the importance of adaptability to Sri Lankan pitches and overall team combination in finalizing the squad.
Strong All-Round Depth
Pakistan enter the tournament with multiple all-round options in Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, and Salman Ali Agha, offering flexibility in both batting and bowling across different conditions.
Group A Overview: Pakistan’s Challenge
Pakistan will compete in Group A, which features a mix of traditional rivals and emerging teams:
- India
- Netherlands
- USA
- Namibia
With a short group stage, consistency will be crucial, as a single off-day could significantly impact qualification hopes.
Pakistan’s Group Stage Fixtures
Match Date Venue
Pakistan vs Netherlands 7 February 2026 Colombo
Pakistan vs USA 10 February 2026 Colombo
India vs Pakistan 15 February 2026 Colombo
Pakistan vs Namibia 18 February 2026 Colombo
Pakistan begin their campaign on 7 February, with the marquee clash against India scheduled for Sunday, 15 February, also in Colombo.
Tournament Format at a Glance
- Dates: 7 February – 8 March 2026
- Teams: 20
- Group Matches: 4 per team
- Qualification: Top 2 teams from each group advance to the Super 8
- Knockouts: Semi-finals and Final
Final Preparations: Australia T20I Series
Ahead of the World Cup, Pakistan will play a three-match T20I series against Australia in Lahore, serving as a vital warm-up:
Match Date Venue
1st T20I 29 January 2026 Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
2nd T20I 31 January 2026 Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
3rd T20I 1 February 2026 Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
This series is expected to help Pakistan fine-tune their bowling combinations and middle-order roles before heading to Sri Lanka.
Outlook
With a settled squad, experienced match-winners, and a leadership transition under Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan enter the T20 World Cup 2026 aiming to make a deep run. The blend of senior players and versatile all-rounders gives the team a balanced look, particularly suited to Sri Lankan conditions.
How quickly the squad finds rhythm in the opening matches will be decisive—but one thing is certain: when Pakistan take the field in Colombo from 7 February, they will be determined to challenge for the title once again. https://dmtn1.com/pakistan-t20-world-cup-2026-squad-announced-babar-azam-returns-salman-ali-agha-named-captain/
