On 25 January 2026, Pakistan officially named a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with Salman Ali Agha set to lead the side in his first global tournament as captain. The announcement was made at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore by PCB Director High Performance Aqib Javed, alongside head coach Michael James Hesson.
Pakistan is placed in Group A and will begin its World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on 7 February in Colombo. The team will also face the USA on 10 February, India on 15 February, and Namibia on 18 February, with all group-stage matches scheduled to be played in Colombo.
The squad reflects a clear focus on conditions expected in Sri Lanka, with selectors prioritising spin depth and multi-skilled players. Aqib Javed said the selection was made with slower pitches in mind, where batting technique and bowling control will be crucial throughout the tournament.
Babar Azam’s return to the World Cup setup is one of the major highlights, with the selectors confirming that he has been given a defined role suited to challenging conditions. His experience was considered vital after Pakistan struggled in similar environments during recent ICC events.
Several players, including Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Tariq, have earned their maiden World Cup call-ups. The management stressed that recent performances, adaptability, and modern T20 requirements were key factors behind these inclusions.
The omission of Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan has drawn attention, especially given Rauf’s strong Big Bash League form. The selectors explained that the final combination was chosen on balance rather than individual statistics, with an emphasis on versatility and match-ups.
Pakistan will continue their preparations with a three-match T20I series against Australia at Gaddafi Stadium on 29 January, 31 January, and 1 February. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will run from 7 February to 8 March across India and Sri Lanka.
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 (wk), and Usman Tariq.