LAHORE – Pakistan has officially unveiled its 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, presenting a well-balanced lineup that emphasizes batting depth and a robust spin bowling attack. The announcement, made on January 25, 2026, comes as the tournament prepares to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
Salman Ali Agha to Lead Pakistan’s Campaign
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has entrusted all-rounder Salman Ali Agha with the captaincy as the 2009 champions aim for their second T20 World Cup title. The squad features the return of several key players, including batting icon Babar Azam, who recently became the all-time leading run-getter in Men’s T20 Internationals.
Star-Studded Batting Lineup
The batting lineup includes experienced campaigner Babar Azam, who brings substantial expertise to Pakistan’s middle order. The opening options feature Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, while explosive left-hander Saim Ayub provides additional firepower in the top order. Young talent Khawaja Mohammad Nafay adds further depth to the batting resources.
The squad also includes wicketkeeper-batters Usman Khan and Sahibzada Farhan, ensuring flexibility in the team composition. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman are natural aggressors in the powerplay, while Babar Azam offers stability when early fireworks don’t go as planned.
Formidable Spin Arsenal
One of the standout features of Pakistan’s squad is its impressive spin bowling department. The team includes Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq as spinning options that are sure to be utilized at different stages of the tournament. This quartet provides Pakistan with multiple tactical options across different phases of the game.
With the wickets likely to suit spinners, Pakistan included four spinners to maximize their chances on the subcontinental pitches in India and Sri Lanka. Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq provide specialist options for the middle overs, complemented by Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, who excel at controlling the innings.
Shadab Khan’s inclusion is particularly significant, as the leg-spinner made his comeback to the national setup after a six-month absence. His return bolsters Pakistan’s spin attack with his leg-break variations and batting abilities down the order.
Pace Attack Led by Shaheen and Naseem
In the absence of Haris Rauf, Pakistan have relied on Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah in their pace unit. The left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi will spearhead the pace attack, supported by right-arm quick Naseem Shah and left-arm pacer Mohammad Salman Mirza.
Head coach Mike Hesson explained that the three fast bowlers were selected after carefully considering their abilities to bowl effectively in all three phases of T20 cricket. Pakistan can strike early when Shaheen Afridi swings the new ball, and Naseem Shah hits precise, hard lengths.
All-Rounder Options Provide Balance
There is a strong presence of all-rounders in the squad with the likes of Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz providing multiple options with bat and ball. This depth in all-rounders allows captain Salman Ali Agha to employ flexible strategies depending on match situations and conditions.
Faheem Ashraf brings valuable experience with both bat and ball, while Mohammad Nawaz’s left-arm orthodox spin and lower-order hitting add further balance to the squad composition.
Notable Omissions
The squad announcement saw some high-profile omissions, with fast bowler Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan missing out. Rauf, who hasn’t played international cricket since the Asia Cup in September, was excluded despite his reputation as a wicket-taker at the highest level.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Schedule
Pakistan has been placed in Group A alongside defending champions India, the Netherlands, the United States, and Namibia. The team will open their campaign 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.
All of Pakistan’s group-stage matches are scheduled to be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where conditions are expected to favor spin bowling.
Pakistan’s Complete T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
Captain: Salman Ali Agha
Batters: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan
All-rounders: Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan
Bowlers: Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq
Tournament Details
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Twenty teams will compete across five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka in a total of 55 matches. Pakistan, as the 2009 champions, will be looking to add a second T20 World Cup trophy to their cabinet in what promises to be a highly competitive tournament.
With a well-balanced squad featuring strong batting options, a potent spin attack, and quality pace bowlers, Pakistan has assembled a team capable of challenging for the title. The combination of experienced campaigners and exciting young talent provides captain Salman Ali Agha with multiple strategic options as Pakistan pursues glory on familiar subcontinental conditions.
