The T20 World Cup 2026 is less than forty days away, and the preparations are in full swings for the marquee event. India, Australia, and England have already named their 15-member squad. Meanwhile, Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa are the three heavyweights yet to make their squad public.
This article will focus on Pakistan, who will be eyeing its 2nd T20 World Cup title. The Men in Green had a disastrous 2024 edition where the then Babar Azam-led side crashed out of the tournament in the group stage following a defeat against the USA.
The pressure is on for Salman Agha and his men, but there is an uncertainty over a few spots for the World Cup. Therefore, this article will shed light on Pakistan’s probable squad for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Top Order: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Maaz Sadaqat
Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub to open the innings
Pakistan will continue to open the innings with their trusted opening pair, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub. The duo opened the innings on 25 occasions in 2025 and amassed 645 runs together, averaging 28.41. Therefore, the Men in Green will not look to change things there.
On individual levels as well, Farhan was Pakistan’s best opener last year and collected 771 runs in 26 innings, averaging 30.84. On the other hand, Ayub didn’t had the best of years with the bat as he only amassed 581 runs, averaging 20, but was one of Pakistan’s best bowlers with 21 wickets.
Criteria
Sahibzada Farhan
Saim Ayub
Innings
26
29
Runs
771
581
Average
30.84
20.75
Strike-rate
133.62
129.11
100/50
0/7
0/4
Farhan and Ayub's numbers in 2025
Why Maaz Sadaaqat over Abdul Samad?
For the Sri Lanka series, the PCB has trusted Abdul Samad as another top-order batter, but 20-year-old Maaz Sadaaqat should be the ideal back-up at the top order going into the T20 World Cup 2026.
If we compare the numbers, Sadaaqat scored 258 runs in five innings during the Asia Cup Rising Stars and played a key role in helping his side lift the title. On the other hand, the 27-year-old Abdul Samad has not played for Pakistan since the 2025 New Zealand tour, where he only amassed 66 runs in four innings.
Abdul Samad's form in 2025
Criteria
Abdul Samad
Innings
4
Runs
66
Average
16.50
Strike-rate
1113.79
100/50
0/0
Middle-Order: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan
Babar Azam, Salman, and Fakhar to highlight the middle-order
Pakistan have little to change in the middle-order as Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, and Fakhar Zaman will form a powerful trio. The PCB went ahead with the same set-up during the recent tri-series against Zimbabwe and eventually won the title. Therefore, there won’t be any change in that setup.
Criteria
Babar Azam
Salman Ali Agha
Fakhar Zaman
Innings
8
29
21
Runs
206
581
512
Average
34.23
20.75
28.44
Strike-rate
114.44
129.11
127.68
100/50
0/2
0/4
0/2
No place for Mohammad Haris; Shadab Khan to bolster the middle-order
One big change that Pakistan are likely to go ahead with for the T20 World Cup is to leave Mohammad Haris out of the team. The keeper-batter has struggled for runs, and now Shadab Khan will bolster the middle-order. Notably, Haris has just scored 429 runs, averaging only 18.65
Shadab’s last appearance was during the Pakistan vs Bangladesh series, where he amassed 55 runs and also picked up four wickets. Shadab’s presence will also give Pakistan an extra spinner that will help the team in Indian and Sri Lankan conditions.
Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf in the lower-middle-order
Mohammad Nawaz has been Pakistan’s best performer in 2025 and ended the year as the leading wicket-taker in T20Is among full-member nations with 36 wickets in 24 innings. He has also contributed with the bat and scored 362 runs, making him a dangerous all-rounder for any opponent.
Similarly, Faheem Ashraf has been making the noise with the ball and has taken 24 wickets in 24 innings. He also has 224 runs to his name in 2025.
Bowlers: Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
No experiments for Pakistan in the bowling unit as Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi will lead the bowling attack. Naseem Shah is unlikely to get a place in the playing XI, but will have to be in the reserves because of injury concerns to Shaheen Afridi.
The left-arm quick is recovering from a knee injury and faces a race against time to be fit in time for the T20 World Cup 2026. Therefore, Naseem’s presence in the team is highly required.
In the spin department, Abrar Ahmed will take care, as he has 28 wickets and has also been economical. In the bench, Salman Mirza will be there as an extra seamer and Usman Khan as a back-up keeper to Sahibzada Farhan.
Pakistan's probable squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Sahibzada Farhan (WK), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (C), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Usman Khan (Wk), Maaz Sadaqat, Salman Mirza
Pakistan T20 team - (Source: AFP)
.jpg?type=mq "AUS strongest XI")
