Overview:
Pakistan can reach the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals with their balanced squad, strong all-rounders and adaptability.
Salman Agha-led Pakistan will be out to prove a point at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, set to start from February 7. The work for Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup will be to sharpen their bowling and be more lethal with the bat. With a balanced side on offer, they will be keen to exercise the same.
Pakistan, who will be playing all their matches in Sri Lanka, are set to battle it out in Group A alongside Namibia, Netherlands, USA and India. The top 2 teams will reach the Super 8, which will be divided into two groups. Notably, 20 teams are divided into four groups.
The T20 World Cup final will be played on March 8. India and Sri Lanka will co-host the coveted tournament. This is the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan have reached three finals of the T20 World Cup. They lost to India in the maiden event back in 2007. The side then won the 2009 event, defeating Sri Lanka. Thereafter, Pakistan reached the final of the 2022 event. They lost to England. Pakistan have a chance to make it to 4 finals now and perhaps win their 2nd trophy.
The talking point of Pakistan’s 15-member squad is the absence of star fast bowler Haris Rauf. The right-arm pace bowler was dropped despite being Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is. He was recently the highest wicket-taker in the Big Bash League 2025-26 season. He picked 20 scalps.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, we decode the strengths, weaknesses and analysis of the Pakistan side.
Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup: Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
Strengths of Pakistan
Pakistan boast of a decent batting unit. Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman will constitute the top order.
In 37 T20Is, Farhan has 917 runs with the help of 8 fifties. He was Pakistan’s top scorer with 771 runs at 30.84 in the 2025 calendar year. He is an aggressive player and will aim to launch an assault.
Babar provides a shield and the anchoring role. He remains Pakistan’s top T20I scorer. In 136 matches, he has 4,429 runs at 39.54. Overall in T20s, he has hit 97 fifties and 11 tons. He owns 11738 runs in T20s.
Fakhar is likely to bat at number three. He can continue from where Farhan left. Fakhar is known for his big shots and temperament. He owns 2365 T20I runs from 115 matches at 23.65.
The middle order has a decent shape. Skipper Salman Agha is the fulcrum. He has 736 runs from 42 outings (39 innings).
Saim Ayub is another batting option with desirable experience. Ayub has scored over 1100 runs for Pakistan. However, he could miss out on the top three featuring the said players. Wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay is likely to feature.
The all-round department of Pakistan looks balanced. Mohammad Nawaz can bat and bowl quality spin. He is a crunch figure. Nawaz owns 867 runs with the bat with a strike rate of 137.18. With the ball, he has picked up a commendable 87 wickets.
The likes of Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan are the other two bowling all-rounders. Ashraf can be handy with his pace bowling and pretty much able with the bat. He owns 544 runs and 61 wickets.
Veteran Shadab will look to put in a shift. If selected in the XI, he will bat at number 8, and this would bode well. He has scored 816 runs and taken 114 scalps for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s spin department is experienced and sorted. Besides all-round options of Nawaz and Shadab, they have Abrar Ahmed. These three can be the primary options in the XI. Abrar has 40 scalps at 18.67. Meanwhile, Usman Tariq provides support from the bench. In two matches, he has six scalps at 7.73.
The dependable Shaheen Afridi will lead Pakistan’s pace department. He is soon set to complete 100 T20I matches. He has 126 scalps. Naseem Shah is pretty reliable. He owns 30 scalps from 33 matches. Salman Mirza is the other pace option in this squad. In 12 matches, he has claimed 29 wickets. Ashraf is the 4th pace option as mentioned above.
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Weaknesses of the Pakistan side
Not selecting Rauf was a bold call from the selectors. He is a wicket-taker and brings versatility to the ranks. It remains to be seen whether this move backfires.
Ayub’s presence raises concerns. He had a dismal 2025, registering 7 ducks across 29 matches. Overall in T20s, he posted 8 ducks and averaged a sorry 19.57, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Babar is a superb batter, but his strike rate seems to be a concern. Despite averaging 30-plus from 23 T20 matches in 2025, his strike rate of 121.03 is on the lower side for a top-order batter.
Pakistan do have Nawaz, Ashraf and Shadab to provide the finishing touches; however, they are not elite finishers, and their strike rate too justifies the same.
Pakistan have two wicketkeeping options. However, promise is what is lacking. Khawaja Nafay is just one T20I old. Usman Khan hasn’t quite impressed. With an average of 18.05 and a SR of 117.05, he lacks bite in T20Is.
Predicted starting XI of Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.
Players to watch out for
Sahibzada Farhan: The star opener holds the cards for Pakistan. He has been brilliant over the last season and has brought consistency to his game. His explosive starts will aid the side.
Verdict: Pakistan could make their way to semis
Pakistan can reach the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals with their balanced squad, strong all-rounders and adaptability. However, the lack of world-class finishers and problems with the strike rate of most of their batters, this could see them struggle. They will need to play as per their strengths, and smart execution will be crucial against top teams.
Schedule of Pakistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup
7 February – Pakistan vs Netherlands, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
10 February – Pakistan vs UAE, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
15 February –India vs Pakistan, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
18 February – Pakistan vs Namibia, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo