The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially announced its 15-member squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday, January 25, 2026. In a surprising leadership shift, Salman Ali Agha has been named captain, leading a roster that includes seasoned stars Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah. Despite his inclusion, Babar Azam’s role remains a point of contention; head coach Mike Hesson indicated that the veteran batter will likely move away from the opening slot to provide stability in the middle order. Notably, fast bowler Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan were omitted from the final lineup, as selectors opted for a spin-heavy attack suited for Sri Lankan conditions.
Salman Agha leads a power-packed Pakistan squad for the upcoming #T20WorldCup 👊
More 👉 https://t.co/y1LLQmhLdg pic.twitter.com/PjXRFieMJ3
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) January 25, 2026
However, the team’s participation remains clouded by a diplomatic standoff. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the final decision rests with the federal government, following the ICC’s recent move to replace Bangladesh with Scotland after Bangladesh refused to travel to India. Accusing the ICC of “double standards,” Naqvi emphasized that Pakistan will not act independently of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives. Under the current “Fusion Formula,” Pakistan is scheduled to play all its matches in Sri Lanka, beginning with a clash against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by the high-stakes rivalry against India on February 15 in Colombo.
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