The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the national squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 during a press conference held in Lahore. The announcement comes as Pakistan enters the final phase of preparation for one of cricket’s biggest tournaments.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed that the board consulted key stakeholders before finalizing the squad. He also mentioned that following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament, the PCB discussed important matters with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure smooth participation.
Tournament Hosting & Pakistan’s Venue
The T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by Sri Lanka and India. However, all of Pakistan’s matches will be played in Sri Lanka, ensuring neutral venues and smooth arrangements.
This setup is expected to provide balanced playing conditions for the team and reduce logistical challenges.
Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
Here is the officially announced squad:
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Captain: Salman Ali Agha
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Batsmen: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman
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All-Rounders: Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz
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Wicketkeepers: Usman Khan, Khawaja Nafay
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Fast Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza
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Spinners: Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq
This squad reflects a balanced combination of experience and young talent, aimed at delivering strong performances on the global stage.
Pakistan’s Group Stage Schedule
Pakistan will begin its World Cup campaign in Colombo:
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📅 Feb 7: vs Netherlands (Sinhalese Sports Club Ground)
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📅 Feb 10: vs USA (Same venue)
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📅 Feb 15: vs India (R Premadasa Stadium)
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📅 Feb 18: vs Namibia (SSC Ground)
The highly anticipated clash against India on February 15 is expected to be one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
Expectations from the Team
Fans and experts are hopeful that under Salman Ali Agha’s leadership, Pakistan can perform strongly and reclaim its past glory. With experienced stars like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, along with emerging players, the team appears well-equipped for the challenge.
