Pakistan have revealed their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and the selection has already sparked intense debate. The return of Babar Azam brings stability and experience to the batting order, while the omission of express pacer Haris Rauf stands out as the biggest talking point. Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan are aiming to relive their 2009 glory when the tournament gets underway on February 7.
Babar Azam returns to Pakistan’s T20I setup
Babar’s inclusion is a timely boost for Pakistan as they prepare for the demands of subcontinental conditions. Recently becoming the highest run-scorer in men’s T20 internationals, Babar brings not just runs but also calm leadership and big-match temperament. His presence allows Pakistan to anchor innings while younger and more aggressive batters play with freedom around him.
Alongside Babar, the batting unit features a blend of power and finesse in Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Khan. The selectors have clearly prioritized flexibility, ensuring the lineup can adapt to both high-scoring venues and slower, spin-friendly surfaces expected in India and Sri Lanka.
Haris Rauf left out, pace attack reshaped
The absence of Rauf signals a shift in Pakistan’s fast-bowling strategy. Instead of outright pace, the team management has placed its faith in control, swing and experience. The pace responsibilities will largely rest on Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, a duo well-versed in exploiting early movement and delivering at the death.
Supporting them are Mohammad Salman Mirza and Usman Tariq, offering variety and depth. The decision suggests Pakistan are backing consistency and fitness over raw speed, especially for a long tournament where managing workloads will be crucial.
Also READ: Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi back as Pakistan announces T20I squad for home series against Australia
All-round depth offers tactical freedom
One of the strongest aspects of Pakistan’s squad is its all-round depth. Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz give the team multiple combinations, allowing them to tweak the XI based on opposition and conditions. Shadab’s leg-spin and aggressive batting remain vital in the middle overs, while Nawaz’s left-arm spin adds balance against right-heavy lineups. This abundance of all-rounders provides captain Salman Ali Agha with tactical flexibility, particularly in pressure games where matchups can decide outcomes.
Pakistan find themselves in Group A alongside defending champions India, Netherlands, USA and Namibia. It is a competitive pool where no game can be taken lightly. The former champions will begin their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, a fixture that could set the tone for the rest of their journey.
Pakistan Squad for 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.
Also READ: Bangladesh officially pull out of T20 World Cup 2026; ICC announces replacement
