Pakistan India and Sri Lanka have announced their 15-man squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to be co-hosted and the selection has already sparked intense debate. return of Babar Azam And the release of a fast pacer brings stability and experience to the batting order Haris Rauf stands out as the biggest talking point. Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan will aim to relive their 2009 glory when the tournament begins on February 7.
Babar Azam returns to Pakistan’s T20I setup
Babar’s entry is a timely boost for Pakistan as they prepare for the demands of subcontinental conditions. Babar, who recently became the highest run-scorer in men’s T20 internationals, not only brings runs but also calm leadership and a big-game temperament. His presence allows Pakistan to anchor the innings while the younger and more aggressive batsmen play with freedom around him.
Along with Babar, the batting unit has a blend of power and finesse Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Sahibzade Farhan and Osman Khan. The selectors have clearly prioritized flexibility, ensuring that the line-up can adapt to both high-scoring venues and the slower, spin-friendly surfaces expected in India and Sri Lanka.
Haris Rauf was left out, the pace of the attack was reshaped
Rauf’s absence signals a change in Pakistan’s fast bowling strategy. Instead of direct pace, the team management believed in control, swing and experience. Responsibilities will mainly fall on pace Shaheen Shah Afridi and Nasim Shaha duo that knows how to exploit early action and deliver at the death.
They are supported by Mohammad Salman Mirza and Usman Tariq, who offer variety and depth. The decision shows that Pakistan are favoring consistency and fitness over raw pace, especially for a long tournament where managing workloads will be crucial.
All-round depth offers tactical freedom
One of the strengths of Pakistan’s squad is its all-round depth. Fahim Ashraf, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz give the team multiple combinations, allowing them to make 11 based on the opposition and conditions. Shadab’s leg spin and aggressive batting are vital in the middle overs, while Nawaz’s left-arm spin adds balance against right-heavy lines. This abundance of all-rounders provides captain Salman Ali Agha with tactical flexibility, especially in pressure games where face-offs can determine outcomes.
Pakistan is in Group A along with defending champions India, Netherlands, USA and Namibia. This is a competitive pool where no game can be taken lightly. The former champions will begin their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, which could set the tone for the rest of their tour.
Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Salman Ali Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fahim Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Us.
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