Pakistan Submit Provisional Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Published On: January 23, 2026

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has submitted its preliminary squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to the International Cricket Council, naming several senior stars while leaving out at least one major name for now.

According to details, the provisional list includes Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf, forming the core of Pakistan’s early World Cup plans.

Key Players Included in Provisional Squad

The squad also features a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talent, including Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmad, and Usman Tariq.

The selectors appear to be focusing on flexibility and balance, keeping multiple all-round and bowling options open ahead of the final selection phase.

Final Squad Decision Timeline

The final T20 World Cup squad will be announced after the conclusion of the Pakistan–Sri Lanka series, scheduled to end later this month. As per ICC regulations, all teams are allowed to make unrestricted changes until January 31, 2026.

After that deadline, any squad changes will only be permitted in cases of confirmed injury or exceptional circumstances, subject to approval by the ICC Technical Committee.

Shaheen’s Fitness Under Watch

Sources indicate that Shaheen Shah Afridi’s spot in the final squad is not yet guaranteed, as it depends on his recovery from injury. His availability for the tournament remains uncertain.

The PCB has reportedly identified Mohammad Waseem Jr as a like-for-like replacement should Shaheen fail to regain full fitness in time.

Mohammad Rizwan Left Out—for Now

In a surprise move, Mohammad Rizwan is not part of the preliminary squad. For the wicketkeeper-batter role, the team management is closely monitoring Khawaja Nafay and Usman Khan, with both players in direct contention based on form and fitness.

Fringe Players Eyeing Breakthrough

Another name under discussion is Abdul Samad, who could force his way into the final lineup with strong performances against Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Muqeem and young batter Hassan Nawaz are being considered as backup options, providing the selectors with additional cover ahead of the World Cup.

With months still to go before the tournament, Pakistan’s T20 World Cup plans remain open and competitive, with several key positions yet to be finalized.