Overview:
Rizwan hasn’t played T20Is for over a year, with his last game coming in 2024. Fast bowler Haris Rauf, who was magnificent for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League 2025-26, has also been left out.
Pakistan have announced their 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 amid boycott threats by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head Mohsin Naqvi. He slammed the apex body for Bangladesh’s removal from the global tournament after they refused to play matches in India, citing security concerns.
However, the assessment by experts found no credible security threats to Bangladesh players, officials or fans in India. After Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India, the top brass of the ICC decided to replace the sub-continent nation with Scotland.
Following the outcome, Naqvi spoke in favour of Bangladesh and said that Pakistan’s participation in the tournament would depend on the government’s approval. However, Pakistan have confirmed their squad for the World Cup. There was no place for the wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan and pacer Haris Rauf.
Rizwan hasn’t played T20Is for over a year, with his last game coming in 2024. Fast bowler Haris Rauf, who was magnificent for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League 2025-26, has also been left out. He was below-par for the Men in Green in the Asia Cup 2025 final. Babar Azam has been retained in the team despite his poor returns for the Sydney Sixers in BBL.
Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside, India, Namibia Netherlands, and USA. They will face Netherlands in their campaign opener on 7 February in Colombo. Pakistan are also set to compete with Australia in the upcoming three-match T20I series at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Pakistan’s squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq