As the January 1 deadline passed, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly met the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) requirements by submitting a 15-member provisional squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. While the board has yet to officially release the list to the public, details regarding the selection have begun to emerge.
The 20-team tournament, set to begin on February 7, 2026, will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Under ICC regulations, teams can modify their provisional squads until January 31 without needing special approval.
According to sources, Pakistan’s selection committee has prioritized a mix of experience and current form, though injury concerns remain a focal point.
- Injury Cloud Over Shaheen: Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been included in the provisional list despite suffering a knee injury during his Big Bash League (BBL) stint with the Brisbane Heat last week. His final participation depends on a clearance from the PCB medical team in Lahore.
- The Return of Shadab: All-rounder Shadab Khan marks a significant comeback. After a long hiatus due to a shoulder injury since May 2025, Shadab returned to competitive action in the BBL and has been included to provide much-needed balance to the squad.
- Babar Azam Confirmed: Despite leadership transitions and fluctuating T20 form, former captain Babar Azam remains a cornerstone of the batting lineup.
- Notable Omissions: Pacer Haris Rauf has reportedly been excluded from the provisional squad, a move that has surprised many given his experience in the shortest format.
Provisional Squad Breakdown
The squad largely mirrors the 15-member group selected for the upcoming T20I series in Sri Lanka (January 7–11).
| Category | Players |
| Batters/WKs | Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Salman Ali Agha (c) |
| All-Rounders | Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz |
| Spinners | Usman Tariq (Mystery Spinner), Abrar Ahmed |
| Fast Bowlers | Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr |
Logistics and Venue Advantage
In a strategic move, Pakistan will play all of their matches—including potential knockout stages—in Sri Lanka. This decision follows a bilateral agreement regarding neutral venues for India-Pakistan clashes.
- Venues: All Pakistan fixtures will be held across Colombo (R. Premadasa and SSC) and Kandy (Pallekele).
- Final Preparation: The three-match series against Sri Lanka starting next week in Dambulla is viewed as the ultimate audition for players to secure their spot before the January 31 “lock-in” date.