Pakistan has officially announced its 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in Colombo. The announcement was made on January 25, with details unveiled during a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The team is placed in Group A and is set to open the tournament against the Netherlands on February 7. This event holds significant importance as it showcases cricketing talent on a global stage.
Notably, several players have received their first call-ups for this major event. Skipper Salman Ali Agha leads a group that includes Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Tariq. Their inclusion underscores the team’s investment in nurturing fresh talent.
On the other hand, there are seasoned players in the squad, such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Fakhar Zaman, all of whom have previous experience in T20 World Cup tournaments since 2021. This blend of youth and experience aims to strengthen Pakistan’s chances in the competition.
The 20-team tournament format will have each squad participating in four group matches, leading up to the Super Eight and Knockout Stages, scheduled between February 7 and March 8. This structure promises competitive cricket as teams vie for a place in the later rounds.
Additionally, in preparation for the World Cup, Pakistan will engage in a three-match T20I series against Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium on January 29, 31, and February 1. This series will serve as a crucial opportunity for fine-tuning strategies ahead of the World Cup.
The complete squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup includes:
– 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
– Saim Ayub
– Shaheen Shah Afridi
– Shadab Khan
– Usman Khan (wk)
– Usman Tariq
This mix of players aims to put forth a competitive performance in forthcoming matches and reflects a commitment to both current form and future development in Pakistani cricket.