The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally submitted its preliminary squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to the International Cricket Council, with familiar names headlining the list — and one major omission already setting tongues wagging.
As expected, Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf headline Pakistan’s provisional group for the global tournament, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. However, the absence of Mohammad Rizwan from the initial list has emerged as the biggest talking point.
Star Core Retained, Youth Given Opportunity
According to sources, the PCB has named a 15-member provisional squad, largely blending senior campaigners with emerging talent currently involved in Pakistan’s T20 plans.
Alongside Babar, Shaheen, and Haris, the list includes Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Nawaz, indicating that Pakistan’s think tank is keen to maintain a balance between experience and flexibility.
On the bowling front, Abrar Ahmad, Usman Tariq, and Salman Mirza have been included, suggesting the selectors are keeping a close eye on spin and variation — a key factor for Sri Lankan conditions.
Rizwan Omission Raises Eyebrows
The most surprising development is the temporary exclusion of Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s regular wicketkeeper-batter and one of the most consistent performers in T20 cricket over the past few years.
Sources indicate that the wicketkeeper’s slot is currently a straight contest between Usman Khan and Khawaja Nafay, with team management eager to assess both players during the upcoming away T20I series against Sri Lanka.
While Rizwan is far from ruled out, his absence at this stage underlines Pakistan’s willingness to explore alternatives ahead of the final submission deadline.
Shaheen Afridi’s Fitness Under Watch
Another key storyline revolves around Shaheen Shah Afridi’s fitness. The left-arm pacer’s inclusion in the final World Cup squad remains subject to medical clearance, with PCB officials closely monitoring his recovery.
In case Shaheen fails to regain full fitness in time, Mohammad Waseem Jr has been identified as a like-for-like replacement, ensuring Pakistan are not caught short in the pace department.
Deadline Looms, Changes Allowed Until Jan 31
All participating teams are allowed to make unrestricted changes to their preliminary squads until January 31, 2026. Any alterations after that date will require approval from the ICC Technical Committee and must be backed by injury or exceptional circumstances.
Pakistan’s selectors are expected to use the Sri Lanka series (January 7–11) as a crucial evaluation phase before locking in the final combination.
Players on the Fringe
Meanwhile, Abdul Samad remains firmly in contention. Strong performances against Sri Lanka could see him force his way into the final squad.
Young batter Hassan Nawaz and left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Muqeem are also being discussed as traveling reserves, providing additional depth in case of injuries or form slumps closer to the tournament.
Pakistan’s World Cup Schedule
Pakistan have been placed in Group A and will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, starting their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo. Group-stage fixtures will be held in Colombo, with Super Eights matches scheduled across Colombo and Kandy.
As things stand, Pakistan’s preliminary submission offers a glimpse into the selectors’ thinking — but with weeks still to go before the final deadline, the race for places is very much alive.
