Haris Rauf omitted as selectors prioritise conditions and balanceLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, appointing Salman Ali Agha as captain in a move that underlines a new phase for Pakistan’s T20 setup. The squad announcement also confirms the return of senior batter Babar Azam, while fast bowler Haris Rauf has been left out.
The squad was unveiled at a press conference at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, attended by PCB Director of High Performance and national selector Aqib Javed, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, and newly named T20I captain Salman Agha.
Pakistan are placed in Group A and will begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo.
New leadership, fresh faces
Salman Agha will lead Pakistan in his first ICC event as captain, marking a leadership transition aimed at building a balanced and adaptable side. The selectors have also included several players for their first T20 World Cup appearances, including Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Tariq.
The inclusion of these players reflects the PCB’s strategy to widen its core group and prepare for future international cycles.
Haris Rauf omission explained
The absence of Haris Rauf emerged as one of the most talked-about decisions, especially given his recent form in overseas leagues. Addressing the issue, Aqib Javed said the selection committee made choices based on expected playing conditions in Sri Lanka.
“We assessed conditions carefully,” Aqib said, explaining that slower pitches and spin-friendly surfaces influenced the final squad selection.
Pakistan’s pace department will be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, with Salman Mirza providing additional support. The spin attack has been strengthened with Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq, highlighting a clear tactical shift for subcontinental conditions.
Babar’s return adds experience
Babar Azam’s inclusion brings stability and experience to Pakistan’s batting lineup. The former captain is set to play his fourth T20 World Cup, this time without leadership responsibilities. He will be supported by Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan, giving Pakistan a mix of aggression and composure at the top and middle order.
Selectors stressed that team balance, rather than individual comparisons, guided their decisions.
Aqib dismisses Babar–Rizwan debate
Aqib Javed firmly rejected comparisons between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, calling such debates unnecessary.
“Modern T20 cricket is about combinations and roles,” he said. “Selecting one player does not mean rejecting another. We focus on what best suits the team.”
White-ball head coach Mike Hesson also backed wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan, praising his recent performances and composure under pressure.
“Usman has delivered in difficult situations, and his wicketkeeping, particularly in Sri Lankan conditions, has been outstanding,” Hesson said.
Tournament plan and warm-up series
Under the ICC’s ‘Fusion Formula’, Pakistan will play all their group and Super Eight matches in Sri Lanka, avoiding travel to India during the early stages. If Pakistan reach the semifinals or final, those matches will also be played in Colombo; otherwise, the knockout fixtures will shift to India.
Before the World Cup, Pakistan will host Australia for a three-match T20I series at Gaddafi Stadium on January 29, 31 and February 1, which will serve as a final opportunity to fine-tune combinations and assess match readiness.
With a new captain, returning experience and a condition-based strategy, Pakistan will head into the T20 World Cup 2026 aiming for consistency and adaptability on the global stage.
