ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board on Sunday unveiled a 15-member squadfor the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, appointing Salman Ali Agha as captainin a move that signals a fresh strategic direction for the national team.The announcement, made during a high-profile press conference at Lahore’sGaddafi Stadium, featured PCB Director High Performance Aqib Javed, the newT20I skipper Salman Ali Agha, and white-ball head coach Michael JamesHesson. Pakistan’s campaign begins on February 7 against the Netherlands inColombo, setting the stage for a tournament running from February 7 toMarch 8 across co-hosts India and Sri Lanka.
The squad represents a deliberate balance between emerging talents andbattle-hardened performers, addressing recent inconsistencies inlimited-overs formats. Salman Ali Agha, known for his all-round abilitiesand calm leadership in domestic cricket, assumes the captaincy amidexpectations to guide the side toward reclaiming past glory, having lastwon the title in 2009. His appointment follows discussions within the PCBto foster continuity in white-ball cricket while injecting new energy intothe lineup.
Several players earn maiden call-ups to a major ICC event, reflecting theboard’s emphasis on identifying and nurturing future stars. Among thenewcomers are all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, wicketkeeper-batters KhawajaMohammad Nafay and Usman Khan, explosive opener Sahibzada Farhan, andpromising talents Mohammad Salman Mirza and Usman Tariq. These inclusionsaim to bolster depth in batting and bowling, particularly in spin and paceoptions suited to subcontinental conditions.
The core of the team comprises experienced campaigners who bring provenWorld Cup pedigree and international exposure. Babar Azam returns as a keybatter and former captain, expected to anchor the middle order with hisconsistency. Fakhar Zaman provides aggressive opening firepower, whileall-rounders Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan offer spin variety andlower-order hitting. Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shahform a formidable new-ball attack, complemented by leg-spinner Abrar Ahmedand Saim Ayub’s versatile contributions.
Notably absent from the squad are prominent names such as wicketkeeperMohammad Rizwan and fast bowler Haris Rauf, decisions that have sparkeddebate among fans and analysts. The PCB’s selection committee, inconsultation with the coaching staff, prioritized current form, fitness,and suitability to T20 demands over past achievements. This approachunderscores a forward-looking philosophy as Pakistan seeks to rebuildmomentum after mixed results in recent bilateral series.
Pakistan finds itself in Group A, a competitive pool that includestraditional rivals and emerging sides. The team is scheduled to play fourgroup-stage matches, with progression to the Super Eight stage hinging onstrong performances in the initial phase. Under the ICC’s hybrid hostingmodel due to geopolitical considerations, all Pakistan matches will occurin Sri Lanka venues, including Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium and SinhaleseSports Club, ensuring neutral but familiar subcontinental pitches.
The tournament format retains the established structure of group stagesleading to Super Eight, semifinals, and final. Pakistan’s opener againstthe Netherlands on February 7 at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club offers anopportunity to build early confidence. Subsequent fixtures will test thesquad’s adaptability against varied opposition, with potential high-stakesencounters demanding tactical acumen from the leadership.
Coach Michael Hesson emphasized the squad’s blend of aggression andcomposure during the press conference, highlighting preparations focused onhigh-intensity training camps and bilateral engagements leading up to theevent. Aqib Javed reiterated the PCB’s commitment to performance-drivenselections, aiming to maximize the team’s potential in a format wherePakistan has historically excelled yet faced recent challenges in majortournaments.
The announcement arrives at a pivotal time for Pakistani cricket, as thenational side looks to restore pride on the global stage. With a mix ofyouthful exuberance and seasoned expertise, the team under Salman Ali Aghacarries hopes of mounting a serious challenge for the trophy. Fans andexperts alike will closely monitor the squad’s buildup, fitness updates,and strategic refinements in the coming weeks.
This development marks a significant chapter in Pakistan’s T20 journey,blending tradition with innovation as the side prepares for one ofcricket’s premier events.
Source:https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/pakistan-announce-squad-for-icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026-.html
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