Expectations from Pakistan cricket in 2026

[Ball Blazer]

After a poor start in the Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan cricket in the later months, delivered one of its most dominant calendar-year runs in recent memory, sweeping series after series across formats and conditions. From overpowering South Africa in both T20I and ODI series to clinching the Hong Kong Sixes, securing the Asia Cup Rising Stars title, and finishing the month with a T20I tri-series win, Pakistan showcased depth, consistency, and a winning mentality rarely seen so comprehensively in recent years.

The blend of emerging talent and experienced match-winners created a momentum that redefined expectations and reminded fans of Pakistan cricket’s true potential on the global stage. Maaz Sadaqat stole limelight in Rising Stars Asia Cup while we also saw the rise of Sahibzada Farhan in the recent series.

Heading into 2026, expectations are naturally soaring. With a challenging tour of Sri Lanka to start the year followed by a high-stakes T20 World Cup campaign featuring blockbuster clashes — including the much-anticipated Pakistan vs India match in Colombo — fans expect Pakistan to carry the same ruthlessness and clarity of play into major tournaments. The later tour of England, with a full three-Test series at iconic venues like Lord’s and Leeds, will test Pakistan's temperament and red-ball growth.

Since 2026 offers Pakistan a golden opportunity to convert their 2025 dominance into global silverware and statement overseas performances, what are you expecting from them?

 

[Kianig89]

The end of wicket keeping debate as Usman or any other to finally knock off Rizwan.

Shan Masood to call.it a day to end the culture of mediocrity.

Agha to be ousted from T20s as soon as PCB wakes up from slumber

The intent merchant will hopefully prove their worth as Pakistans PP RR to go above 9.

Farwell game for Haris Rauf before summer.

 

[jamie smith fan]

Nothing tbh

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Don't lose to USA again. That's the only realistic expectation you can have. And even that could go either way lol.

 

[Nasty Naz]

In the last couple of ICC events we have seen the team fall apart and look shambolic in the tournaments. Just hoping we get a good and competitive to turn up at the world events.

Pakistan are playing a lot of Tests this year too. Hope we can win some and be competitive in the WTC. There's a legitimate chance for Pakistan to make it to top 2 if they play well in the road series.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Nothing tbh

Pak cricket fan pro max

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Semifinals in World T20 is possible

PAK will be in a group with NZ and SL

If NZ pick Conway and Bracewell, PAK have a chance.

I don't think PAK are going to do anything in the England Test series

 

[Devadwal]

@The Bald Eagle what is your expections from Pakistan team in World T20 2026. Can they forced ICC to move World T20 2026 final from Narendra Modi stadium to colombo ?

 

[The Bald Eagle]

@The Bald Eagle what is your expections from Pakistan team in World T20 2026. Can they forced ICC to move World T20 2026 final from Narendra Modi stadium to colombo ?

Zero expectations from these lots

 

[Vikram1989]

Semifinals in World T20 is possible

PAK will be in a group with NZ and SL

If NZ pick Conway and Bracewell, PAK have a chance.

I don't think PAK are going to do anything in the England Test series

Eng is also there.pak should fancy themselves against eng than nz.if the pitch is road, then no chance.it has to be a typical sluggish sub continental wicket especially like Asia cup finals pitch for any chance.

 

[zahid01]

I hope they start to pick players for the correct formats and stop selecting parchi players

 

[BouncerGuy]

Expecting them to do nothing different to what they were doing... No new thing.. Not gonna win WC..

 

[Justcrazy]

They need to try and compete better against Top sides.

PCB should organize more tests even out of WTC
Pakistan need to build a battery of fast bowlers with red and white balls whom can swing the ball.

Try and build solid middle order .

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Eng is also there.pak should fancy themselves against eng than nz.if the pitch is road, then no chance.it has to be a typical sluggish sub continental wicket especially like Asia cup finals pitch for any chance.

England at full strength is tough for PAK to beat. Their record against England in this format is also historically very poor.

They've beaten NZ quite a lot though

 

[Devadwal]

England at full strength is tough for PAK to beat. Their record against England in this format is also historically very poor.

They've beaten NZ quite a lot though

Pakistan's chances of beating England in Sri Lankan conditions are higher than beating New Zealand.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Pakistan will continue to be on a downward spiral.

 

[Obaidd]

PCB management: clown show will continue

Red ball: Upward trend if stability allowed under Shan’s leadership.

White ball: same old

 

[Vikram1989]

England at full strength is tough for PAK to beat. Their record against England in this format is also historically very poor.

They've beaten NZ quite a lot though

Nz are quite methodical with their approach than pak. Pak will start thinking only before their exclusion.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pakistan's chances of beating England in Sri Lankan conditions are higher than beating New Zealand.

Nah. NZ are pretty weak in such conditions. They lost to SL in SL last year

Honestly, it depends on NZ selections. They are usually very conservative and that hurts them a lot in this format

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Nz are quite methodical with their approach than pak. Pak will start thinking only before their exclusion.

NZ will have a very weak batting lineup if they play both Conway and Bracewell in their Top 7, no matter how methodical they are.

 

[Devadwal]

Nah. NZ are pretty weak in such conditions. They lost to SL in SL last year

Honestly, it depends on NZ selections. They are usually very conservative and that hurts them a lot in this format

New Zealand adapts to subcontinental conditions better than England. Yes Pakistan is boggy team for NZ in ICC event's . still they have better quality players than England for Lankan conditions.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Low expectations.

Hopefully we can blood in some youth and build foundations for the future.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

It's amazing how non-Pakistani fans have any expectations from this team at all. Lot of wishful thinking on this thread.

 

[gazza619]

Hoping for a glorious year Insha Allah.

I would be reasonably satisfied with the following results:

Win away T20 series vs SL.
Win away T20 series vs Australia.
Reach semi-finals of WT20.
Draw away test series vs England.
Win home test series vs SL.
Win away test series vs WI.

I am guessing the away test series vs Australia will take place at start of 2027. Target for team is to win at least one test match.

 

[Ball Blazer]

I have some expectations from young cricketers but not from the senior team. WC 2026 will be another disaster.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Hoping for a glorious year Insha Allah.

I would be reasonably satisfied with the following results:

Win away T20 series vs SL.
Win away T20 series vs Australia.
Reach semi-finals of WT20.
Draw away test series vs England.
Win home test series vs SL.
Win away test series vs WI.

I am guessing the away test series vs Australia will take place at start of 2027. Target for team is to win at least one test match.

Away t20i series with AUS looks impossible. Series with WI and SL do have high chances. Test too vs Eng could be drawn, but reaching WT20 semis, I have stopped dreaming about it.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

New Zealand adapts to subcontinental conditions better than England. Yes Pakistan is boggy team for NZ in ICC event's . still they have better quality players than England for Lankan conditions.

They actually don't. If NZ are brave enough to play a lineup of

Allen
Rachin
Seifert
Robinson
Mitchell
Philips
Chapman
Santner


I don't think Pakistan has a chance. But if they remove two of those from that Too 7 and replace them with Conway and Bracewell on a spinning wicket, then PAK can catch them cold.

 

[Pakistan150-0]

Zero expectations from these cricketers....