Babar Azam uncertain: 3 Pakistan players who can be axed from provisional T20 WC squad

Players Pakistan can still drop from T20 WC squad [Source: AFP Photo]

The T20 World Cup 2026 is just a month away and almost all teams have finalised their squads for the marquee event. While the likes of India, Australia, and England have revealed their team, Pakistan, on the other hand, has only announced the 16-member provisional squad, with some players still getting monitored.

Pakistan’s official team for the T20 World Cup will be revealed after the T20Is against Sri Lanka are over. The three-match series provides a great chance for Pakistan to test their playing combination and make changes to their squad.

With time still left for the official announcement, here are 3 Pakistan players who can still be left out of the T20 World Cup side (due to poor performances, team combination).

1) Haris Rauf

Once touted as Pakistan’s best pace bowler, things have gone downhill for Haris Rauf in T20Is. The pacer was one of the main reasons why Pakistan lost the Asia Cup 2025 final against India as his overs turned the tide for India.

With Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah and an injury-free Shaheen Afridi available, Pakistan doesn’t need a fourth seamer on Sri Lankan wickets. Moreover, his recent numbers also reveal the sorry state of affairs.

(Rauf in T20Is in 2025)

• In 2025, Rauf has taken 23 T20I wickets in 15 matches, but the problem lies in his economy rate, which has gone up from 2024. In 2023, his economy was 7.76, the following year, it rose to 9.03, and in 2025, it was 9.11. He leaks runs at crucial junctures, and it has cost Pakistan big time.
• In the match against Brisbane Heat, Rauf was tasked to deliver the goods in the final over, and just like the game against India, he squandered the chance as the opposition won from the jaws of defeat. With three pacers already locked in, Rauf could be dropped if Shaheen gets fit before the World Cup.

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2) Fakhar Zaman

It has been an underwhelming 2025 for Fakhar Zaman, who struggled for runs in T20Is and was eventually demoted in the middle-order to accommodate other stars at the top. Injuries and poor form has hindered his batting, and the batter has certainly looked a pale shadow of his former self.

(Fakhar Zaman T20I stats in 2025)

• In 22 T20I matches in 2025, the southpaw racked up just 512 runs, with a strike rate of 127, showcasing his inability to play at a higher strike rate. He struggled in the Asia Cup, and was pushed down the order by the time the tri-nation series was played.
• In the recently concluded ILT20, the Pakistan batter failed to deliver as he scored just 260 runs in 12 matches, with a strike rate of 124.40.
• Fakhar is an opener by nature, but with Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, and Babar Azam in the team, he might not get a chance at his designated spot, and the team has plethora of batters to fulfil the role in middle-order, and hence, he could be dropped from the team.

3) Babar Azam

When Babar Azam was dropped from the T20I team for the Asia Cup, Pakistan head coach, Mike Hesson wanted him to work on his strike rate. Babar was eventually recalled to the squad, but things didn’t improve as he continued to play at a slower tempo.

(Babar Azam T20I stats after his comeback)

• Even after his comeback in the T20I team, Babar couldn’t score at a rapid rate as his strike rate was 117, and 112 in the two series.
• Moreover, in the ongoing BBL 2025 season, Babar has two fifties to his name but those runs have come at a strike rate of 111, showcasing his inability to play aggressively on batting-friendly wickets.
• He struggled on quality Australian wickets in the BBL, and Pakistan will get slower surfaces in Sri Lanka for the World Cup. Hence, the team should look at someone who can play an aggressive brand of cricket, rather than being an anchor.
  

Conclusion

Pakistan have revealed the provisional squad for the T20 World Cup, but the side still has three weak links. If Pakistan has to win their second-ever T20 World Cup, the team needs to inject fresh faces, rather than going for the same old players with outdated skillsets.

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