Pakistan have announced their squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be played in India and Sri Lanka in February and March. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has selected a 15-member team, with Salman Ali Agha named as captain. Several senior players have returned to the squad, including Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, and fast bowler Naseem Shah.
Some well-known players have been left out of the team. Fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jr were not selected. Other players who missed out include Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, and Sufiyan Muqeem. The selectors said the team was picked based on performance and team needs.
Despite struggling in the Big Bash League, Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have returned to Pakistan’s 16-player squad for the three-match series against Australia, starting January 29. They missed Pakistan’s recent series in Sri Lanka, which ended 1-1, because they were playing for the Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat, respectively.
🚨 PAKISTAN SQUAD FOR T20 WORLD CUP 2026 🚨
Tuk-tuk Babar Azam is back for Opposition 😆
Documentary maker Sahibzada Farhan will open with Duck-ayub 😆
Leg-spinner Shadab Khan, whose ball never spins, is also back 😆
Run-machine Haris Rauf will stay in Lahore 😆 pic.twitter.com/IqEcF8T4Gl
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) January 25, 2026
Even though the squad has been announced, Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 is still not confirmed. Head coach Aaqib Javed said in a press conference that the selectors have completed their task by naming the squad close to the deadline. However, the final decision on whether Pakistan will take part in the tournament will be made by the government. He added that the PCB chairman has also said the board is waiting for government approval.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also spoke about the role of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He criticised the ICC for treating Bangladesh unfairly after they asked for a change in match venues. Naqvi said the ICC should not have different rules for different teams and that Bangladesh should be allowed to play in the World Cup.
Scenes from the Khet of Rawalpindi –
Babar Azam was spotted with Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan after Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad announcement..
pic.twitter.com/JoR80os8zg— 𝑨𝑻10 (@Loyalsachfan10) January 25, 2026
Naqvi suggested using a hybrid model for Bangladesh, similar to what has been done in the past for Pakistan and India. He said all ICC member countries should be treated equally. He also added that no country should be allowed to force decisions on another country. Naqvi warned that Pakistan would take its own position if such unfair treatment continues.
Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup 2026:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), and Usman Tariq.
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