The Pakistan team squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 — 15 players, one mission. Announced on 25 January 2026 in Lahore, Salman Ali Agha’s squad blends battle-hardened stars with six World Cup debutants. Here is every name, the big omissions, and the fixtures ahead.
Quick answer: Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq. Rizwan and Haris Rauf left out.
The 15-Man Squad
Batters: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman. Keepers: Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay. All-rounders: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf. Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq. Six players — Agha, Faheem, Nafay, Mirza, Farhan, Tariq — at their first World Cup.
The Big Omissions
Mohammad Rizwan: no T20I for over a year; Hesson’s aggressive top-order vision has no room. Haris Rauf: Pakistan’s top T20I wicket-taker, dropped after a poor Asia Cup final with Naseem’s return. Both calls signal that reputation no longer guarantees selection. Our squad pillar guide has the full context.
Fixtures
Group A: Netherlands (7 Feb, Colombo), USA (10 Feb), India (15 Feb, R. Premadasa, Colombo), Namibia (18 Feb). Under the hybrid model Pakistan play all matches in Sri Lanka; knockouts in Colombo if they qualify. The tournament runs 7 February–8 March 2026 across India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan’s Chances
Sri Lankan pitches suit Pakistan’s spin-heavy, pace-backed attack — Abrar and Usman Tariq through the middle, Shaheen-Naseem up top. The question is the top order: if Saim and Farhan fire, Pakistan can beat anyone; if they flop, Babar carries too much. Semi-finals are the realistic target; the 2009 champions know how to win these events.
Where will Pakistan play their World Cup matches?
All in Sri Lanka (Colombo venues) under the ICC’s hybrid model — Pakistan do not travel to India.
Who is Pakistan’s World Cup captain?
Salman Ali Agha — his first ICC event as captain, appointed as part of the post-2024 white-ball reset.
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