Pakistan Announce T20 World Cup Squad; Salman Agha to Lead

January 25, 2026

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on January 25, 2026, announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. Veteran batter Babar Azam has sealed his place in the squad, while Salman Ali Agha will lead the side as captain for the global event.

Salman Ali Agha Appointed Captain

The PCB confirmed that Salman Ali Agha will captain the Pakistan team in the tournament. Agha, a middle-order batsman and useful off-spinner, takes the leadership reins ahead of the T20 World Cup a major milestone in his career. His leadership will be crucial as Pakistan aims to challenge for the title.

Experienced Core and New Faces

The squad blends experienced campaigners with promising young talent. Apart from Babar Azam, key performers such as Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed are part of the squad, bringing a mix of batting power and bowling strength. Newer players like Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Tariq have also earned their maiden World Cup call-ups, adding depth and dynamism to the lineup.

Notable Omissions and Selections

One notable change compared to some recent selections is the exclusion of Haris Rauf, who has not been named in the final 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, the middle-order batting and bowling units have been balanced to provide flexibility across diverse pitch conditions expected in India and Sri Lanka.

Preparation and Build-Up

Pakistan will use an upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia as a final preparation for the World Cup. This series, starting on January 29 in Lahore, will help the team fine-tune combinations and give match practice to key players before the tournament kicks off in Asia.

Group Stage Challenges Ahead

In Group A of the T20 World Cup, Pakistan is set to face a competitive slate of teams including India, Netherlands, USA, and Namibia. Their campaign will begin against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, with subsequent matches against the USA, India, and Namibia in the group stage. Strong performances here will be crucial to progressing to the Super Eight phase.