Pakistan have revealed their provisional squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, as the deadline for submitting provisional teams was on the 1st of January, as per the norms of the ICC. Pakistan have named Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam in the provisional squad, after they were snubbed from the Sri Lanka T20I series.
Pakistan failed to perform satisfactorily in the previous edition of the World Cup, where, after repeated losses in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 group-stage matches, they were thrown out before qualifying for the Super-8 stages. Instead, the USA had qualified from the same group alongside India.
Pakistan, like several other teams, have also revealed their provisional squad for the ICC T20 World Cup, with the due date for the squad announcement on the 1st of January. According to reports, Pakistan have completed the process within the given time frame of the ICC.
Pakistan reveal provisional squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026
The International Cricket Council had set January 1st as the deadline for the participating teams to submit their provisional squads for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in India and Sri Lanka.
As per the latest report from PTI, Pakistan have submitted their provisional 15-member squad to the ICC; however, they have not yet revealed it to the public. The report also mentioned that they had submitted the report within the stipulated time by the ICC.
Every team is allowed to make changes to the squad until January 31 without seeking any permission from the ICC. However, changes after that can only be made after clearance from the ICC.
Pakistan include Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi in the provisional squad
Some sources have revealed to PTI that Pakistan’s provisional squad includes injured fast bowler Shaheen Afridi and veteran Pakistani batter Babar Azam. Babar Azam, currently playing in the BBL, has not been picked for the upcoming T20I series in Sri Lanka.
However, following Azam’s decent run in the Big Bash League, he has been included in the provisional squad for the World Cup. Shaheen has also been included in the provisional squad after his injury ruled him out of the series against Sri Lanka.
Shadab Khan, the all-rounder who returned to cricket with the Big Bash League and has not played a single international match since May due to injury, has also been named in the provisional squad. The selectors have shown an inclination towards the players up for the Sri Lanka tour, with Azam and Shaheen being the only exceptions.
Haris Rauf has not been included even in the provisional squad, while Salman Ali Agha continues to lead the team in the shortest format. Mohammad Rizwan continues to be snubbed from the format.
Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka
The 20-team tournament is to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka across a total of 8 venues around India and Sri Lanka. The venues for Pakistan would be R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (Colombo), and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy), as they will play all their games in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan have been placed in the same group alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, India, and the United States of America. They will begin their campaign against the Netherlands on the 7th of February, while the matches against the USA, India, and Namibia follow.
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