Babar Azam at 3; Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah out? Pakistan strongest XI for T20 World Cup 2026

Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, the PCB announced Pakistan's squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 on Monday. While veteran fast bowler Haris Rauf was dropped from the team, the likes of Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan formed Pakistan's core group for the mega event. 

Considering they will play the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, Pakistan prioritised multiple spin-bowling options, including Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz. Led by Salman Ali Agha, the Men in Green will face the Netherlands and the USA at Sinhalese Sports Club before taking on their arch-rivals, India, in a high-voltage face-off on February 15. 

As Pakistan have finalised their T20 World Cup squad, here we analyse to find out their most potent combination for the showpiece event. 

Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan to open; Babar Azam at 3

Pakistan's head coach Mike Hesson has confirmed that Babar Azam won't open the batting in the T20 World Cup 2026. This means Pakistan will aim to maximise powerplay field restrictions by allotting the opening slots to Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub. 

(Saim, Farhan and Babar to spearhead Pakistan's top order)

Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub have statistically formed the second most successful opening pair for Pakistan, amassing 693 runs, including four fifty-plus stands. While Farhan's fearless stroke play makes him an asset at the top order, Saim Ayub's ability to chip in with all-round contributions presents him as a vital cog in the Pakistani side. 

Babar Azam will once again serve as the backbone of Pakistan's batting unit. Known for his steady game-play, Babar will be tasked to consolidate the innings and set a solid foundation for the middle-order batters. 

Salman Agha to spearhead Pakistan's middle order; Will Fakhar Zaman find a place?

Captain Salman Ali Agha, who enjoyed stellar success at number three against Sri Lanka, will likely be demoted, with Babar Azam being reinstated in the top-order. The right-hander has slammed 140 impactful runs in his last seven T20I innings and will undoubtedly be Pakistan's wrecker-in-chief with the bat in the middle order. 

Considering Pakistan will create room for the allrounders' duo of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, anyone would expect Fakhar Zaman to vacate a specialist batter's slot in the middle order. 

However, given that Pakistan have the luxury of utilising Saim Ayub's four overs on the spin-friendly Sri Lankan pitches, they can opt for only two seam bowling options and get Fakhar into the team as their spin-hitter in the middle overs. Fakhar has been one of their consistent batters lately, scoring 517 runs at an average of 27.21 and a strike rate of 125.79 since 2025. 

Usman Khan and Khawaja Nafay seem to be battling for the wicketkeeper's slot, which the latter might get after striking at a blistering rate of 173.33 in the Sri Lanka series. 

Shaheen Afridi to lead pace attack, toss-up between Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf

Shaheen Afridi has recovered from a knee injury that he sustained during his BBL 2025-26 stint with the Brisbane Heat. As a result, the left-arm pacer is raring to go in the T20 World Cup, with one between Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah likely to play as his bowling partner. 

Faheem Ashraf was one of the major reasons why Pakistan gave India a tough fight in the Asia Cup 2025 final. His effective usage of the slower ones and cutters enabled Pakistan to get rid of the Indian top-order on a sluggish pitch in Dubai. 

If the tracks in Colombo tend to remain on the slower side, Pakistan might consider picking Faheem Ashraf over Naseem Shah. On the other hand, if a relatively flatter deck is dished out, Naseem will likely get the nod ahead of the experienced bowling allrounder. 

There doesn't seem to be too much competition for the frontline spinner's slot though, as Abrar Ahmed is the frontrunner to edge out Usman Tariq in the race, courtesy of an impactful T20I record (40 wickets in 31 matches, strike rate- 16.6, economy- 6.77). 

Pakistan's strongest playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026

Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Shadab Khan, Khawaja Nafay (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf/Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed