The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Sunday a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with Salman Ali Agha leading the side.
The team combines fresh talent and experienced players, preparing to kick off their campaign against the Netherlands on 7 February in Colombo.
The PCB revealed the squad during a press conference at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, attended by PCB Director High Performance Aqib Javed, T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, and white-ball head coach Michael James Hesson.
Newcomers receiving their maiden call-ups include Salman Ali Agha (captain), Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Tariq.
Seasoned campaigners such as Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, and Abrar Ahmed bring valuable World Cup experience.
Squad composition
The full 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026:
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Captain: Salman Ali Agha
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Abrar Ahmed
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Babar Azam
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Faheem Ashraf
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Fakhar Zaman
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Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (WK)
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Mohammad Nawaz
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Mohammad Salman Mirza
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Naseem Shah
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Sahibzada Farhan (WK)
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Saim Ayub
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Shaheen Shah Afridi
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Shadab Khan
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Usman Khan (WK)
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Usman Tariq
The team is placed in Group A and will play four group-stage matches before progressing to the Super Eight and Knockout stages, with the tournament scheduled between 7 February and 8 March 2026.
Pre-tournament preparations
Ahead of the World Cup, Pakistan will host Australia for a three-match T20I series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on 29 and 31 January, and 1 February. The team’s preparation camp began on Sunday, ensuring players are match-ready for both the bilateral series and the mega-event.
Coach Michael Hesson emphasized the balance between fresh talent and experienced campaigners, aiming for a strong performance in Colombo and beyond.
