The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a significant announcement on Sunday, revealing a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament is scheduled to commence on February 7, with Pakistan's matches set to be played entirely in Sri Lanka due to the 'Fusion Formula' agreement.
Notable Omissions and New Faces
In a surprising move, pacer Haris Rauf, who last played for Pakistan in T20Is in September last year, has been left out of the squad. Similarly, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, sidelined since December 2024, will miss his first T20 World Cup after participating in the 2021, 2022, and 2024 editions.
The squad includes several debutants for mega-events: skipper Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Nafay, Salman Mirza, and Usman Tariq have received their maiden call-ups. Experienced players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan, who have featured in previous tournaments since 2021, also made the cut.
Press Conference Insights
The squad was unveiled at a press conference held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, addressed by PCB Director of High Performance Aqib Javed, T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, and white-ball head coach Michael Hesson.
When questioned about Rauf's exclusion, Javed explained that the pacer had served Pakistan well but recent performances led to a different combination being chosen. "We are playing our matches in Sri Lanka, and we finalised the squad based on the conditions there," he stated.
On Babar Azam's inclusion, Javed emphasized his consistency and specific role, particularly in challenging situations like those expected in Sri Lanka. Hesson addressed Rizwan's omission, noting the team's need for a wicket-keeper who can bat in the middle or lower-middle order, a role not suited to Rizwan's top-order batting style.
Tournament Structure and Schedule
Pakistan, the 2009 champions, have been placed in Group A alongside India, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia. Their campaign begins against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, followed by matches against the USA on February 10, India on February 15, and Namibia on February 18.
If Pakistan advances, the Super Eight round starts on February 21 in Colombo, concluding on March 1 in Kolkata. The semi-finals are set for March 3 and 5, with the final on March 8 in either Ahmedabad or Colombo, depending on Pakistan's progress.
Player Highlights and Strategy
Hesson praised Usman Khan, set for his second T20 World Cup appearance, calling his performance "exceptional" since his comeback and highlighting his improved wicketkeeping skills in Sri Lankan conditions.
The squad reflects a strategic focus on adaptability to Sri Lankan pitches, with a mix of youth and experience aimed at navigating the tournament's challenges.
Full Squad: 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 (wk), and Usman Tariq.
