Pakistan has submitted a list of potential players to the ICC for the T20 World Cup 2026. Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi are both included. The final squad will be announced after the Sri Lanka series.
T20 World Cup 2026: Preparations are in full swing for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 across all cricket-playing nations. Excitement is at its peak among fans for this mega tournament, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also taken a significant step in preparation.
Pakistan has not yet officially announced its squad, but it has submitted a list of potential players to the ICC. Following the release of this list, the main question arises: have big names like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi been dropped from the team, or are their places still secure?
In this report, we will tell you which players have been included in Pakistan's provisional list, which big names are missing, when the squad will be announced, and what Pakistan's complete schedule will be for the T20 World Cup 2026.
PCB submits list within ICC deadline
The ICC had instructed all teams to submit their lists of potential players by January 1st. The Pakistan Cricket Board has completed this process within the stipulated timeframe. However, the PCB has not yet publicly released the list, but important information related to it has emerged through the news agency PTI.
The PCB has clarified that this is only a provisional squad. The final squad will be announced after the completion of the T20 series against Sri Lanka. This means that the selectors still have ample opportunity to assess the performance of the players.
What is the status of Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi?
The most discussion is surrounding whether Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been dropped. According to a PTI report, PCB sources have clarified that both Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi are included in the list of 15 players submitted to the ICC.
Babar Azam has long been a key batsman for the Pakistan team. Questions have been raised about his form recently, but the selectors have maintained their faith in him. Shaheen Shah Afridi is recovering from injury, but he has still been included in the provisional squad, indicating that the team management wants to keep him prepared for the major tournament.
Shadab Khan's return boosts hopes
All-rounder Shadab Khan's name has also been included in Pakistan's potential team. Shadab Khan has been absent from international cricket since May of last year due to a shoulder injury. After a long rehab, he made his return to competitive cricket in the current season of Australia's Big Bash League.
Shadab is now set to make his international cricket comeback through the three-match T20 series starting in Sri Lanka on January 7th. This series will be very important for the selectors, as Shadab's fitness and form will be assessed based on it.
Final squad will be decided by the Sri Lanka series
The Pakistan team is going to play a three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka starting January 7th. The last match of this series will be played on January 11th. According to PCB sources, most of the players selected for the Sri Lanka series have been included in the potential list for the T20 World Cup 2026.
That is why this series will be like a trial for the selectors. The chances of players being included in the final squad will be strengthened if they perform well here. Immediately after the series, the PCB can officially announce its squad for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Haris Rauf and Mohammad Haris left out
Some surprising names are also missing from Pakistan's potential list. According to reports, fast bowler Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Haris are not included in the list.
Haris Rauf has been considered among Pakistan's leading fast bowlers, but the selectors have kept him out for the time being, considering his recent performance and fitness. Mohammad Haris has also not been given a chance, which is considered a stern message for young players.
Format and number of teams in the T20 World Cup 2026
A total of 20 teams will participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament will begin on February 7th and will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Many teams have already announced their squads, while some teams are preparing based on provisional lists. Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka, which will be important for them in terms of conditions.
Pakistan's complete schedule in Group A
Pakistan has been placed in Group A in the T20 World Cup 2026. This group includes Pakistan, India, Netherlands, USA, and Namibia.
Pakistan will play its first match against the Netherlands on February 7th. After that, they will face the USA on February 10th. The biggest match of the group stage will be played on February 15th, when the Pakistan team takes on India. There is tremendous excitement among fans of both countries for this match.
Pakistan will play its last match of the group stage against Namibia on February 18th. Whether Pakistan reaches the knockout stage will depend on the outcome of these four matches.
