Pakistan Announces Team for T20 World Cup

Pakistan has announced its 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, which will begin on February 7, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Salman Ali Agha led the selection process, bringing back veterans Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, while Haris Rauf was left out. The announcement comes amid discussions on whether Pakistan might boycott the tournament following Bangladesh’s exclusion, a move that drew warnings from the ICC and prompted the PCB to clarify its position.

PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi stated that the board will act according to government directives and added that if the government desires, an alternative team could be sent. The ICC has taken the situation seriously, warning of potential sanctions if Pakistan withdraws. Against this backdrop, the PCB has finalized and announced the squad, aiming to participate fully in the mega tournament.