Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Babar & Shaheen Return as Salman Agha Takes Captaincy

Table of Contents

• Pakistan Announces T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
• Full Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Squad List
• Salman Agha Named Captain: A Bold Choice?
• Babar and Shaheen: The Return of Pakistan’s Superstars
• Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Fixtures and Group Challenges
• Key Talking Points from the Selection
• Conclusion: Can Pakistan Lift the Trophy Again?
• Sources

Pakistan Announces T20 World Cup 2026 Squad

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially unveiled its Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 squad. The 15-man roster features a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talent, with one major twist: all-rounder Salman Agha has been named captain, replacing the more established Babar Azam in the leadership role .

The announcement comes just weeks before the tournament kicks off in February 2026 across Sri Lanka and India. As the 2009 champions, Pakistan enters with high expectations—but also under intense scrutiny following inconsistent performances in recent global events. The return of Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, however, offers a glimmer of hope for fans dreaming of another title run.

Full Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Squad List

Here is the complete 15-player squad selected by the PCB for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026:

1. Salman Agha (c)
2. Babar Azam
3. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
4. Fakhar Zaman
5. Iftikhar Ahmed
6. Shadab Khan
7. Agha Salman
8. Usman Khan
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Naseem Shah
11. Haris Rauf
12. Mohammad Wasim Jr.
13. Abbas Afridi
14. Sufyan Mehmood
15. Zaman Khan

Notably absent are veterans like Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz, while young quicks like Zaman Khan and Sufyan Mehmood have earned their spots based on domestic and franchise performances .

Salman Agha Named Captain: A Bold Choice?

Perhaps the most controversial decision in this Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 squad is the appointment of Salman Agha as captain. While Agha has shown promise in the PSL and domestic circuits—particularly with his handy batting and off-spin—the move sidelines Babar Azam, Pakistan’s most successful limited-overs captain in recent years.

Analysts speculate this shift reflects the PCB’s desire to rebuild and invest in future leadership. “It’s a long-term play,” said former selector Haroon Rasheed. “Babar remains the batting backbone, but they want fresh energy at the helm.” Still, many fans question whether Agha has the tactical depth to handle high-pressure games against India, Australia, or South Africa .

Babar and Shaheen: The Return of Pakistan’s Superstars

Despite losing the captaincy, Babar Azam remains central to Pakistan’s batting hopes. His form in the lead-up tournaments will be critical, especially given his struggles in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Similarly, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s return after injury concerns is a massive boost. Paired with Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, Pakistan boasts one of the most fearsome pace attacks in the tournament.

“When Shaheen is fit, he’s unplayable in powerplays,” noted ESPNcricinfo analyst Osman Samiuddin. “If he and Naseem can strike early, Pakistan’s middle order—led by Rizwan and Iftikhar—can control the game.” This synergy could be the difference between an early exit and a deep run .

Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Fixtures and Group Challenges

Pakistan has been placed in Group A alongside co-hosts India, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Namibia. Their campaign begins on February 7, 2026, against the Netherlands in Colombo. The marquee clash against India is scheduled for February 14 in Chennai—a match already dubbed “the biggest of the group stage” by ICC officials .

To advance to the Super 8s, Pakistan must finish in the top two of their group. While matches against Scotland and Namibia appear winnable, the Netherlands have shown significant improvement in recent years, and the India game is always a high-stakes psychological battle. Every point will matter.

Key Talking Points from the Selection

• No specialist spinner beyond Shadab Khan: With only one frontline spinner, Pakistan may struggle on turning tracks in India.
• Wicketkeeper dilemma: Rizwan remains first choice, but his recent keeping errors have raised eyebrows.
• Youth infusion: Players like Usman Khan and Sufyan Mehmood signal a generational shift.
• Leadership experiment: The Agha captaincy could either inspire unity or create locker-room tension.

Conclusion: Can Pakistan Lift the Trophy Again?

The Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 squad is a fascinating blend of legacy and renewal. With Babar Azam’s bat, Shaheen’s fire, and a new captain at the wheel, the team has the ingredients for success—but also carries significant risk. If cohesion develops quickly and the pace attack dominates, Pakistan could very well challenge for their second T20 World Cup title. For fantasy cricket tips and player projections, check out our guide at [INTERNAL_LINK:t20-world-cup-2026-fantasy-guide].

Sources

• Times of India. “Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi return as Pakistan announce T20 World Cup 2026 squad.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…
• Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Official Squad Announcement, January 24, 2026.
• ESPNcricinfo. “Why Salman Agha? Decoding Pakistan’s captaincy call.” January 25, 2026.
• ICC. “T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule and Groups Released.” https://www.icc-cricket.com
• Dawn Sports. “Pakistan’s T20 WC 2026 squad: Risks, rewards, and redemption arcs.”