The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has submitted its preliminary squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup to the International Cricket Council (ICC), naming several senior players while leaving at least one major star out at this stage.
The provisional list includes key figures such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf, reflecting continuity in Pakistan’s core T20 setup.
Also included are Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmad, and Usman Tariq, giving the selectors a mix of experience and emerging talent.
The PCB will announce the final World Cup squad after the conclusion of the Pakistan–Sri Lanka series later this month. All participating teams are allowed to make unrestricted changes to their squads until January 31, 2026. Any changes after that deadline will only be permitted in cases of verified injury or exceptional circumstances, subject to approval by the ICC Technical Committee.
One area of concern for the selectors is the fitness of Shaheen Shah Afridi. According to media reports, his place in the final squad remains conditional on his recovery from injury. Should the left-arm pacer fail to regain full fitness in time, Mohammad Waseem Jr has been identified as a like-for-like replacement.
The biggest surprise in the provisional list is the absence of Mohammad Rizwan, who is not currently part of the submitted squad. For the wicketkeeper-batter role, the team management is closely monitoring Khawaja Nafay and Usman Khan, with a direct competition emerging between the two based on form and fitness.
Another player pushing for selection is Abdul Samad. Strong performances in the upcoming Sri Lanka series could significantly boost his chances of breaking into the final World Cup lineup.
Meanwhile, left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Muqeem and young batter Hassan Nawaz are being considered as backup options, providing the selectors with additional cover in case of late injuries or dips in form.
With weeks still to go before the final squad deadline, the PCB’s selections remain fluid, setting the stage for intense competition as players fight to secure their place in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign.
