Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Full Team Preview

LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially submitted its provisional squad to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the upcoming 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. Teams must finalize their squads by 31 January, but preliminary lists are already being shared by several cricketing nations.

In line with ICC regulations, squads can be adjusted until the final deadline without seeking prior approval. Any changes after the deadline, however, will require clearance from the ICC’s Technical Committee. This allows selectors to monitor player form and fitness before locking in the final lineup.

According to sources, the provisional Pakistan squad includes top performers like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf. These players are expected to be key figures for Pakistan in the upcoming tournament.

The T20 International series against Sri Lanka, set for January, will play a significant role in determining the final squad. Performances in this series could be decisive for fringe players hoping to secure a place in the World Cup team.

Pakistan is scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka in phases on January 4 and 5, ahead of the three-match T20I series. All matches will take place at the Dambulla stadium on January 7, 9, and 11. This series offers an important opportunity for Pakistan to finalize combinations and test team strategies before heading into the World Cup.

Once the Sri Lanka tour concludes, the Green Shirts squad for the T20I series against Australia and the 2026 World Cup will be announced. Pakistan has been placed in Group A alongside India, the Netherlands, the USA, and Namibia. The opening match of the tournament is scheduled between Pakistan and the Netherlands on 7 February, marking the beginning of a month-long cricketing spectacle running until 8 March.

With experienced players leading the squad and promising young talent in contention, Pakistan aims to perform strongly in the global tournament. Selection decisions made in the coming weeks are expected to balance experience, form, and fitness to create a well-rounded squad capable of challenging for the title.

As cricket fans eagerly anticipate the event, all eyes will be on Pakistan’s preparations in Sri Lanka, which will likely set the tone for their World Cup campaign. The PCB’s proactive approach in submitting the provisional squad early reflects their commitment to thorough planning and strategic readiness.

T20 World Cup Groups:

Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE

Pakistan squad for T20I series vs Sri Lanka

Salman Agha (capt), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq

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ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

Tournament Dates: 7 February – 8 March 2026

Pakistan are set to play the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against the Netherlands on February 7 in Sri Lanka.

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