Shadab Khan vs Nawaz vs Abrar Ahmed: Pakistan's go-to spinner for T20 World Cup 2026 decoded

Who should be Pakistan's main spinner in T20 WC [Source: AFP Photo]

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad is almost finalised, with just the official announcement pending. The team boasts a great mixture of youth and experience, and the Men in Green also has one of the best spin attacks in the tournament. In Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan has three of the finest for the Sri Lankan conditions.

The team has three quality options, but in some matches, not all three players can start together in the main XI. There will be some games where only two of them could start for Pakistan, and with the T20 World Cup just around the corner, we take a look at how the three spinners have fared in T20Is (analysing their home, and away performances).

Shadab Khan vs Mohammad Nawaz vs Abrar Ahmed: overall T20I stats

(Pakistan spinners overall T20I stats)

• In terms of the overall T20I stats, there is a neck-to-neck contest between the three spinners, but Nawaz and Abrar just pip Shadab Khan in the list. Shadab boasts stellar T20I bowling numbers, but it falls short of the stats produced by the other two.
• Abrar Ahmed still ranks as the best Pakistan spinner, followed by Nawaz, and Shadab comes third in terms of the overall T20I impact.

Shadab Khan vs Mohammad Nawaz vs Abrar Ahmed: T20I stats at home

(Pakistan spinners at home)

• In the T20I stats at home, Shadab once again falls behind, with Nawaz and Abrar taking the front seat. Shadab has an economy of over 8, while Mohammad Nawaz gives away runs at only 7.08, and Abrar at 7.07.
• Interestingly, Shadab has a higher average as well, 29.18) and when compared with the other two spinners, it is clear that Nawaz and Abrar have done better than Shadab in home conditions.
• Mohammad Nawaz ranks as the best spinner at home, with a better strike-rate, while Abrar is the better spinner in terms of economy, just marginally.

Shadab Khan vs Mohammad Nawaz vs Abrar Ahmed: away and neutral stats

(Pakistan spinners away from home)

• Away from home is where things get interesting. Abrar Ahmed is clearly the better bowler. as the wily spinner averages a mere 16.79, and has the best economy rate of 6.47. Both Shadab and Nawaz have taken a plethora of T20I wickets away from home, but Shadab has a slightly better economy rate (7.11).
• However, Nawaz outsmarts him in terms of average (21.79), and there is not much to separate between him and Shadab as Abrar is clearly miles ahead of the duo when playing in tricky away conditions.

Why Abrar, and Nawaz should be the starting spinners for Pakistan in T20 World Cup

• Amongst the Test-playing nations, Mohammad Nawaz finished as the bowler with the most T20I wickets in 2025 (36) and was one of the main reasons why the team had a successful T20I season in 2025.
• He provides a left-arm angle to the team, which nobody else can, and last year, the all-rounder proved his mettle with the bat, scoring crucial runs when Pakistan needed him the most.
• Abrar, on the other hand was Pakistan’s main spinner last year as he pipped Sufiyan Muqeem to cement his permanent place in the side. Last year he finished with 28 wickets in 22 matches, and the stats showcases his ability to deliver the goods (in home and away conditions).
• That leaves little room for Shadab Khan to play all games in the T20 World Cup. The team trusts Faheem Ashraf to be the third seamer, and hence, there is no more room for an extra all-rounder in the top 6, and hence, at-least for the start of the World Cup games, Shadab might have to sit out.

Final verdict

Shadab is an excellent spin-bowling prospect for Pakistan, but Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed have been doing the wonders for the last year, and at-least in the initial few games, there could be a chance that Shadab might have tow arm the bench with the other two spinners making their spot permanent in the main team.

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