Led by Salman Agha, Pakistan aims to make a statement at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which kicks off on February 7. Their focus will be on improving their bowling and making a stronger impact with the bat. With a well-rounded team, they are eager to showcase their abilities.
All of Pakistan’s matches will take place in Sri Lanka. They are grouped in Group A with Namibia, the Netherlands, the USA, and India. The top two teams from this group will move on to the Super 8, which features two groups. A total of 20 teams are divided into four groups for the tournament.
The final of the T20 World Cup will take place on March 8, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. This edition marks the 10th anniversary of the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan has reached the finals of the T20 World Cup three times. They lost their first final to India in 2007 but won the tournament in 2009 against Sri Lanka. They reached the final again in 2022 but lost to England. Now, they have the opportunity to aim for their second title.
A key discussion point is the omission of star fast bowler Haris Rauf from the squad. Rauf was Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals and excelled in the recent Big Bash League. He took 20 wickets in that season.
As the T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, we examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Pakistan team.
Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup: Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
Strengths of Pakistan
Pakistan has a solid batting lineup. The top order will feature Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, and Fakhar Zaman.
In 37 T20 matches, Farhan has scored 917 runs, including eight half-centuries. In 2025, he was Pakistan’s top scorer with 771 runs at an average of 30.84, showcasing his aggressive playing style.
Babar Azam, known for his steadiness, is Pakistan’s leading T20I scorer. In 136 matches, he has accumulated 4,429 runs at an average of 39.54, including 97 half-centuries and 11 centuries, totaling 11,738 runs in T20s.
Fakhar Zaman is likely to bat at number three and is known for his big-hitting abilities. He has scored 2,365 T20I runs from 115 matches.
The middle order is also promising, with captain Salman Agha contributing 736 runs from 42 games. Saim Ayub brings valuable experience but may not feature in the top three due to strong competition.
The all-rounder unit is versatile. Mohammad Nawaz adds quality with both bat and ball, having scored 867 runs at a strike rate of 137.18 and taken 87 wickets.
Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan are additional all-rounders capable of contributing with both bat and ball. Ashraf has scored 544 runs and taken 61 wickets, while Shadab has 816 runs and 114 wickets.
Pakistan’s spin bowling is strong and includes Abrar Ahmed, who has taken 40 wickets at an average of 18.67. Usman Tariq is a backup option, having claimed six wickets in two matches.
Shaheen Afridi will lead the pace attack, nearing 100 T20I appearances with 126 wickets. Naseem Shah and Salman Mirza offer additional pace options, with Mirza having taken 29 wickets in just 12 matches.
Weaknesses of the Pakistan side
Leaving Rauf out raises questions, as he adds depth to the bowling lineup. His absence may impact the team’s performance.
Concerns arise with Saim Ayub, who had a tough 2025, including seven ducks across 29 matches and a low average.
Although Babar is a quality hitter, his strike rate has been criticized. In 2025, he had an average above 30, but his strike rate of 121.03 was below par for a top-order batter.
While the team has all-rounders, they aren’t recognized as elite finishers, which may hurt their late innings scoring.
Pakistan has two wicketkeeping options, but neither has proven themselves. Khawaja Nafay is inexperienced, while Usman Khan has struggled with a low average and strike rate in T20 matches.
Predicted starting XI of Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.
Players to watch out for
Sahibzada Farhan: A vital opener, he has shown impressive consistency recently, providing explosive starts that could benefit the team.
Conclusion: Pakistan has the potential to reach the semi-finals.
With a balanced squad and adaptable players, Pakistan can aim for the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals. However, they will need to address the lack of top-notch finishers and strike rate issues among their batters to succeed against strong opponents.
Schedule of Pakistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup
7 February – Pakistan vs Netherlands, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
10 February – Pakistan vs UAE, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
15 February – India vs Pakistan, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
18 February – Pakistan vs Namibia, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
