The Pakistan Cricket Board announced its 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday. The tournament will begin on February 7 in Sri Lanka.
Pacer Haris Rauf, who last represented Pakistan in September 2025, was not included in the squad. This marks a notable omission for the team ahead of the mega event.
Skipper Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Salman Mirza, and Usman Tariq received their maiden World Cup call-ups. These players will represent Pakistan in a major ICC event for the first time.
Experienced Players Maintain Presence
The squad includes several experienced campaigners. Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Usman Khan have previously appeared in one or more editions since 2021.
Mohammad Rizwan, however, will miss his first T20 World Cup since 2021. He has not featured in the national T20 squad since December 2024.
Group and Fixtures Announced
Pakistan has been placed in Group A alongside India, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia. All group-stage matches will be played in Sri Lanka under the ‘Fusion Formula’.
The Green Shirts will face the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo. They will then meet the USA on February 10, arch-rivals India on February 15, and Namibia on February 18.
If Pakistan reaches the semi-finals, knockout matches will take place in Colombo. Otherwise, semi-finals and final will be held in Kolkata and Ahmedabad, respectively. The Super Eight stage is scheduled from February 21 to March 1. The first semi-final is set for March 3, the second on March 5, and the final on March 8.
Squad Details
The 15-member Pakistan squad includes:
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Salman Ali Agha (captain)
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Abrar Ahmed
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Babar Azam
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Faheem Ashraf
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Fakhar Zaman
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Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk)
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Mohammad Nawaz
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Mohammad Salman Mirza
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Naseem Shah
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Sahibzada Farhan (wk)
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Saim Ayub
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Shaheen Shah Afridi
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Shadab Khan
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Usman Khan (wk)
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Usman Tariq
Preparations and Expectations
The squad announcement highlights a mix of experience and fresh talent. Analysts expect the team to rely on both seasoned players and new entrants in key matches. The World Cup campaign will be closely watched by fans and experts alike.
