Pakistan's Strongest Playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026

Pakistan has officially announced its 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Salman Ali Agha will be leading the Pakistan Men’s National Cricket Team in the upcoming tournament. Pakistan’s Highest T20 wicket-taker, Haris Rauf, misses out in the squad, and the star player, Mohammad Rizwan, is also not part of Pakistan's squad in the T20 World Cup.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is all set to start from February 07, 2026, and the tournament is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. After Bangladesh’s boycott, Scotland replaced them in Group C and will be part of the T20 World Cup 2026.

However, despite political noise and boycott talks from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan named a balanced squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. Babar Azam returns to Pakistan’s T20 setup after a long break, and Shadab Khan is also part of the squad. Therefore, Pakistan entered the T20 World Cup 2026 with a strong mix of experienced and young players.

Who will open Babar Azam or Saim Ayub?

Babar Azam is Pakistan's most dependable batter in T20, but his strike rate is pretty low compared to the batters of the same calibre. On the other hand, youngster Sahibzada Farhan is known for his aggressive batting, and Saim Ayub is also known for fireworks, but his recent form is a little concerning. However, Saim is likely to open with Sahibzada in the T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan’s Strongest Playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026

Sahibzada Farhan

Saim Ayub

Babar Azam

Fakhar Zaman

Salman Ali Agha

Mohammad Nawaz

Faheem Ashraf

Shadab Khan

Shaheen Shah Afridi

Abrar Ahmed

Naseem Shah

Why no Haris Rauf in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Squad?

​Haris Rauf has been one of Pakistan’s best bowlers in T20 cricket, but his recent performance is not up to the mark, and he is struggling in this format. Haris Rauf is likely excluded from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad after his poor performance in the Asia Cup 2025 final, where he conceded 50 runs without a wicket in 3.4 overs. 

Pakistan Schedule for T20 World Cup 2026:

https://x.com/mufaddal_vohra/status/2015321525688426620

Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan.

You May Like This: Haris Rauf dropped as Pakistan announce squad for T20 World Cup 2026