Babar Azam Returns: Pakistan Announce 15-Man Squad for 2026 T20 World Cup with Major Overhaul

Pakistan have unveiled their 15-member squad for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, marking the return of several high-profile players including former captain Babar Azam, spin-bowling allrounder Shadab Khan, and pace sensation Naseem Shah.

Squad Transformation: A New Era Begins

The Pakistan Cricket Board has opted for a significant squad overhaul from the group that participated in the Asia Cup last year. The selection committee has made bold decisions, recalling key performers while dropping several established names from the roster.

Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the side after captaining Pakistan during the Asia Cup campaign, providing continuity in leadership heading into the mega event.

Key Returns: Babar, Shadab, and Naseem Back in Green

The most notable inclusions are the returns of:

• Babar Azam – Pakistan's premier batter makes his comeback to the T20 format
• Shadab Khan – The leg-spinning allrounder adds depth to the middle order and bowling attack
• Naseem Shah – The young fast bowler returns to bolster the pace department

These recalls signal Pakistan's intent to field their strongest possible lineup for the global tournament.

Major Omissions: Rauf, Rizwan Miss Out

In a surprising turn of events, several prominent names have been left out of the World Cup squad:

• Haris Rauf – The express pacer has been excluded
• Mohammad Wasim Jnr – Another pace option left out
• Hasan Ali – The experienced seamer misses selection
• Mohammad Rizwan – The wicketkeeper-batter, who was also absent from the Asia Cup squad, continues to remain outside the T20 setup
• Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, and Sufiyan Muqeem – All dropped from the previous squad

Retained Players: Continuity in the Core

Several players from the Asia Cup squad have retained their places, providing stability and experience:

• Abrar Ahmed
• Faheem Ashraf
• Fakhar Zaman
• Mohammad Nawaz
• Saim Ayub
• Shaheen Shah Afridi

Fresh Faces: Maiden World Cup Call-Ups

The selectors have also shown faith in new talent, with six players receiving their first-ever mega-event call-ups for Pakistan:

• Salman Ali Agha (as captain)
• Faheem Ashraf
• Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wicketkeeper)
• Mohammad Salman Mirza
• Sahibzada Farhan
• Usman Tariq

Full Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

1. Salman Ali Agha (Captain)
2. Abrar Ahmed
3. Babar Azam
4. Faheem Ashraf
5. Fakhar Zaman
6. Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (WK)
7. Mohammad Nawaz
8. Mohammad Salman Mirza
9. Naseem Shah
10. Sahibzada Farhan
11. Saim Ayub
12. Shaheen Shah Afridi
13. Shadab Khan
14. Usman Khan (WK)
15. Usman Tariq

Road to the World Cup: Australia Series and Tournament Opener

Pakistan will begin their World Cup preparations with a three-match home T20I series against Australia, providing valuable match practice against quality opposition before the main event.

The Men in Green will commence their T20 World Cup campaign against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7, 2026.

Looking Ahead: Pakistan's World Cup Prospects

With the return of match-winners like Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, and Naseem Shah, combined with the firepower of Shaheen Shah Afridi and the experience of Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan have assembled a well-balanced squad capable of challenging for the title.

The blend of youth and experience, along with the leadership of Salman Ali Agha, gives Pakistan fans reason for optimism as they aim to add another T20 World Cup trophy to their cabinet.