Pakistan Announce 15-Member Squad for T20 World Cup 2026, Rizwan and Haris Rauf Misses Out. Pakistan have announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The selection has generated strong reactions among fans and former cricketers worldwide. Several high-profile omissions underline a major shift in Pakistan’s T20 strategy.
Mohammad Rizwan has been dropped despite an impressive T20I record. Rizwan has scored over 3,300 T20I runs at an average above 48. However, his strike rate of nearly 127 raised concerns for modern T20 demands. Fast bowler Haris Rauf has also been excluded from the final squad. Rauf has taken more than 90 T20I wickets for Pakistan since his debut. His recent economy rate crossed nine runs per over in the last year.
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Salman Ali Agha Named Captain
Salman Ali Agha has been appointed captain for the global tournament. Agha averages above 30 in T20Is with a strike rate close to 140. Selectors praised his calm leadership during the recent bilateral series. Babar Azam remains Pakistan’s premier batter heading into the World Cup. Babar has scored over 4,000 T20I runs, the most by any Pakistan batter. He averages above 41 in T20Is, including three international centuries.
Fakhar Zaman adds experience with over 1,700 T20I runs. His strike rate is close to 135 in the format. Young opener Saim Ayub brings fearless intent at the top. Saim Ayub scored 400-plus runs in the last PSL season. He maintained a strike rate above 145 during the tournament. Selectors see him as a long-term powerplay option. Shadab Khan remains a key all-rounder for Pakistan. He has over 100 T20I wickets and nearly 1,000 runs. Mohammad Nawaz offers control of the economy in seven T20Is.
Shaheen Shah Afridi will spearhead the pace attack. Shaheen has taken more than 80 T20I wickets at an average under 23. Naseem Shah complements him with sharp new-ball spells. Naseem averages below 20 in T20Is since returning from injury. Faheem Ashraf contributes depth with bat and ball. He strikes every 18 balls in T20I bowling.
Abrar Ahmed strengthens the spin attack with his mystery variations. He averages under 19 in T20Is with an economy below seven. Usman Tariq adds control on slower surfaces. Sarfaraz Farhan and Usman Khan will share wicketkeeping duties. Usman Khan scored over 500 runs in the last PSL season.
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Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Salman Ali Agha (C), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman,
K Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah,
Sarfaraz Farhan (WK), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi,
Usman Khan (WK), Usman Tariq.