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Pakistan's fast bowler trio (Source:X)
The Pakistan Cricket Board is set to announce the final squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in the coming days as the submission deadline draws near. The mega event, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is less than two weeks away, and Pakistan remains one of the few nations to officially confirm its squad.
The final discussions over team selection are expected to take place soon, alongside preparations for the upcoming home T20I series against Australia, which is scheduled from January 29 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
These matches are expected to be crucial in shaping the team for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Pakistan's fast-bowling trio faces tough decisions
According to a recent report by Geo News, one of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, or Mohammad Wasim Jr is likely to miss out on the T20 World Cup squad.
This decision is significant given the trio's impact potential, but recent performances and fitness issues have made the choice challenging for the PCB selectors.
Naseem Shah has struggled to find consistent form in recent T20Is. Taking a look at stats, the star bowler has played 34 matches and scalped 30 wickets at an economy rate of 8.14.
Similarly, Mohammad Wasim Jr is seeking breakthrough performances to cement his place in the squad. In the recent Pakistan and Sri Lanka series, the ace pacer bagged 5 wickets in two innings at an economy rate of 11:44.
Shaheen Afridi suffered an injury during the Big Bash League. While he has since recovered, he has been included in the squad for the Australia T20I series.
Final squad to be submitted before ICC's deadline
The ICC has set January 31 as the final date for all teams to submit their squads without requiring special approval. While the PCB has already shared a preliminary list, changes are still possible until the deadline.
Sources suggest that the selection committee is focusing on a balanced combination of form, fitness, and experience.
The probable squad is believed to include captain Salman Ali Agha, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan, and Saim Ayub, along with Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Nawaz.
Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah are under consideration, supported by Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafay. Meanwhile, Abdul Samad, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Usman Tariq are expected to be named as reserves.
Pakistan is in Group A for the T20 World Cup 2026, alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States.
The 'Men in Green' will start their campaign on February 7 against the Netherlands at Colombo . Their high-profile match against India is scheduled for February 15 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
Preparation through home series against Australia
It is important to mention that Pakistan will host Australia for a three-match T20I series at the Gaddafi Stadium just days before the World Cup. The first T20I is scheduled for January 29, followed by matches on January 31 and February 1.
This series will not only help Pakistan fine-tune their combinations but also give players valuable match practice time.
