ICC T20 World Cup (2026): Pakistan squad announced

[Sachin fan]

Bro NGL we laugh at you behind your back too.

You can have a lot of reason to laugh behind my back, but me being mentally ill enough to pretend to be a different nationality or a gaddar who always attacks my own country while supporting the enemy, won't be one of them.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

I don't think Shadab will bat in the Top 6. Maybe as a floater depending on match situation but otherwise, no .

It’s why he’s there. To partly address the fact that we have limited experienced T20 middle order batsmen who play spin well.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

1. Saim Ayub
2. Sahibzada Farhan
3. Salman Agha (c)
4. Fakhar Zaman
5. Khawaja Nafay (wk)
6. Shadab Khan
7. Mohammad Nawaz
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Naseem Shah
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Abrar Ahmed/Usman Tariq


I can see Fakhar struggling on these pitches which means Babar will probably come in for him. Because Babar has a higher probability of playing 32 off 32 type knocks. It's gonna be a long tournament if they get to the second round

 

[Rana]

This is your fantasy world.

In reality, fans start leaving when Babar gets out

No fantasy world

I’ll be there. I will make it happen.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Why take him though? He's just a liability with the bat. Makes zero sense considering he has probably been the worst batsman in the side based on form

Because Hesson likes him.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

1. Saim Ayub
2. Sahibzada Farhan
3. Salman Agha (c)
4. Fakhar Zaman
5. Khawaja Nafay (wk)
6. Shadab Khan
7. Mohammad Nawaz
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Naseem Shah
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Abrar Ahmed/Usman Tariq


I can see Fakhar struggling on these pitches which means Babar will probably come in for him. Because Babar has a higher probability of playing 32 off 32 type knocks. It's gonna be a long tournament if they get to the second round

It’s fine. It’ll be fine. The bowlers just need to all have above average games, every game without fail.

 

[cricfan432]

Saim
Farhan
Fakhar
Agha
Nafay
Shadab
Nawaz
Faheem
Shaheen
Abrar
Salman mirza/usman tariq

This is the team we should go with. No place for usman khan or babr

 

[Rana]

Because Hesson likes him.

This is the truth

Hesson has been on the case to somehow see what he can do with him in the team, in hope maybe

It’s Aqib who is glued on with the reality of the situation. He knows exactly what a liability Babar is.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The best thing I can say about this team is that the bowling is not terrible.

Yeah you have 30+ averaging Naseem and someone like Salman Mirza who can only bowl at one stage of the innings. But the spin attack is decent. Nawaz has been in good form with bat and ball, Shadab has been bowling better since his return and even if he is not great with the ball you have other options to fall back on... plus Shadab adds value with his batting and fielding. Usman Tariq has the mystery element going for him and could be a challenge for teams/players facing him for the first time. Abrar has been Pakistan's best white-ball spinner for a while now. And Faheem Ashraf, as mediocre of a cricketer as he is, can deliver some impactful performances when you least expect it. And then ofcourse you have Shaheen, who may not be the bowler he used to be, but is still probably the only world-class cricketer in this team.

Pakistan will need the bowling to deliver most of the time if they want to win any matches in this tournament.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

It’s why he’s there. To partly address the fact that we have limited experienced T20 middle order batsmen who play spin well.

I think Fakhar will play in the Top 6. Seeing the squad and how Hesson selects his XI, I don't see all 3 of Nawaz, Shadab and Faheem playing in a lineup.

He'll play 6 batsmen + 2 allrounders + 2 fast bowlers + specialist spinner.

Shadab might be used tactically to counter middle overs spin and floated up but I don't think he will be carded in that middle order initially

 

[Raja Ishtiaq]

No fantasy world

I’ll be there. I will make it happen.

Your really attending the games?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think Fakhar will play in the Top 6. Seeing the squad and how Hesson selects his XI, I don't see all 3 of Nawaz, Shadab and Faheem playing in a lineup.

He'll play 6 batsmen + 2 allrounders + 2 fast bowlers + specialist spinner.

Shadab might be used tactically to counter middle overs spin and floated up but I don't think he will be carded in that middle order initially

I can see the entire middle-order changing based on the situation besides the Top 3.

 

[RidiculousMan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015313858588782790

Why are you already setting targets of 150 in your head???

Because this team is build around that. There's a reason why the only two centurions for Pakistan in T20I 2025 (Hasan and Haris) were dropped.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I was watching the press-conference and wow, these journalists ask some seriously dumb questions. With some questions it just feels like the journalists are trying to bait them into blurting a click-bait headline. The standard of sports journalism is this country are just as low as the standards of everything else.

 

[BouncerGuy]

WATCH OUT

 

[Katwalindian]

Hopefully Chants of “Parchi Parchi” when Babar comes out to bat

He needs to be reminded that he is the undeserving player in this squad

There is more chance of Oman winning world Cup than this happening......... he is set for life...... ....

 

[Katwalindian]

I’m trying to understand the strategy here. By playing Babar at 3, you then displace the captain, who’s best position is also no.3.

Looks like opener Usman will play at 6, given the praise give to him by Hesson.

So that’s a top 6 of:

Saim
Sahibzada
Babar
Agha
Shadab
Usman

What are we doing here?!?

It’s once again a batting line up that asks the bowling to overperform.

I would play khawaja over saim....because now shadab is back and saim bowling is not needed...

 

[GOSH11]

Working with what is picked, i would go with:

Sahibzada
Saim
Agha salman
Babar
Fakhar
Khawaja Nafay
Nawaz
faheem
Shaheen
Salman or Naseem/Usman tariq (pitch decision)
Abrar

 

[Energy]

It's between Shadab and Faheem. The rest will be

Saim, Farhan, Babar, Fakhar, Salman, Nafay, Nawaz, Shadab/Faheem, Shaheen, Naseem, Abrar

If Usman plays, it'll be a catastrophe.

 

[PakHammer]

We will miss Wasim's yorkers. Not sure what Naseem has done to justify his place ahead of Wasim in the squad?

 

[Aami]

1. Saim Ayub
2. Sahibzada Farhan
3. Salman Agha (c)
4. Fakhar Zaman
5. Khawaja Nafay (wk)
6. Shadab Khan
7. Mohammad Nawaz
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Naseem Shah
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Abrar Ahmed/Usman Tariq


I can see Fakhar struggling on these pitches which means Babar will probably come in for him. Because Babar has a higher probability of playing 32 off 32 type knocks. It's gonna be a long tournament if they get to the second round

Far better balance

1. Saim Ayub
2. Sahibzada Farhan
3. Salman Agha (c)
4. Fakhar Zaman
5. Khawaja Nafay (wk)
6. Shadab Khan
7. Mohammad Nawaz
8. Faheem Ashraf
9. Naseem Shah
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Abrar Ahmed/Usman Tariq


I can see Fakhar struggling on these pitches which means Babar will probably come in for him. Because Babar has a higher probability of playing 32 off 32 type knocks. It's gonna be a long tournament if they get to the second round

Probably the best line up given the squad but I think as the tournament progresses, and they're still in, one of Faheem or Naseem will make way for Usman Tariq.

 

[zahid01]

It's between Shadab and Faheem. The rest will be

Saim, Farhan, Babar, Fakhar, Salman, Nafay, Nawaz, Shadab/Faheem, Shaheen, Naseem, Abrar

If Usman plays, it'll be a catastrophe.

Nafay won't get a game it will be same ttfs to fail again

 

[Rana]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015372606514606426

You’ve just got a bunch of idiots giving idiotic suggestions

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015372606514606426

You’ve just got a bunch of idiots giving idiotic suggestions

Wow...
did Basit A say that?

And i have these pak friends of mine who send me link after link telling me to listen to BA as an example of rational balanced reporting/analysis as opposed to about 15 other social media based Pak dudes who just suck up/praise India much more than we deserve(sometimes it gets so cringeworthypathetic - i feel like saying - where the fridge is your ghairaat) for eyeballs/$$...
If SA is chosen as mentor - Ishwar bachaaye - the youngsters of pak team...holyravioli!

 

[Rana]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015384680607166679

@BouncerGuy you will love this uff uff

 

[harshjoshi87]

yeh kaisa mazak hai, PCB were going to boycott T20 WC, what happened?

 

[Kroll]

Babar purely there as the flag bearer and to rally the nation. Dude better step up.

 

[BouncerGuy]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015384680607166679

@BouncerGuy you will love this uff uff

You doo UFF UFF because Babar is still in the squad... Rizwan was never in the talk to make it...

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015372606514606426

You’ve just got a bunch of idiots giving idiotic suggestions

I think Basit is trolling. Remember, India boycotted its match against Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends because Afridi who was there?

 

[SherWaqar]

Very average, uninspiring boring squad.

 

[Rana]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015404451029217297

 

[Rana]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015349098283762158

@Bhaijaan broadcasters ka love

 

[Bhaijaan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015349098283762158

@Bhaijaan broadcasters ka love

Dear,
We want to welcome you here no doubt.

 

[CricVet]

Huge handicap in Babar. Hopefully he will be a useful fielder. It will be Pak10 Vs Opponent 12.

 

[Energy]

Huge handicap in Babar. Hopefully he will be a useful fielder. It will be Pak10 Vs Opponent 12.

They're going with a mindset that the tournament will be played on 150 turning pitches. Huge gamble and basically shows that no batter was developed since the farce in America.

 

[CricVet]

They're going with a mindset that the tournament will be played on 150 turning pitches. Huge gamble and basically shows that no batter was developed since the farce in America.

Not true. It shows how influence of certain individuals plays its part in Pak failures, while talented folks have no place to groom their strength. When selection is made in such a BHOnDA fashion, the talented ones start giving up. Then comments are made that there is a scarcity of professionals.

We are champions in squandering what we have.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Babar purely there as the flag bearer and to rally the nation. Dude better step up.

He will be in the starting XI for sure. In a minnow clash he will score a 50 and keep hsi place.

 

[SportsWarrior]

LOL....from we will also boycott if BD dont play to announcing the squad just a day after.

So that they can rub the salt the exact place where they backstabbed BD

 

[TeymurBlake]

Goodness sake, knew it was coming but man it's frustrating seeing Bobsy there, specially considering Agha's numbers at No.3.

Naseem & Shadab there as well.... great.

M.Nawaz's form in the last year in white ball cricket has been a sight to behold. However due to this form, Shadab should NOT be selected considering the spin AR role is filled & supported with Saim & Agha. Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed & Sufiyaan Muqeem are quality wicket taking spinners. Shadab becomes unnecessary.

Naseem Shah has played decently in UAE but warranting a international call up is head scratching. Wasim Jnr, Abbas Afridi & even Hasan Ali would be better options.

Fakhar Zaman could be playing his last tournament with his age & declining reflexes. Usman Khan's keeping is concerning but still, a good player of spin.

However, really like Khawaja Nafay's selection, think the kid's inclusion is a positive mood. Hopefully he plays.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Do we know who the 3 official travelling reserves are?

 

[Obaidd]

Whole squad is a hotchpotch of parchi based selections. No substance, no inspiration. Having said that, spin bowling is good and conditions and scheduling are favourable. Making it to SF I’d imagine but let this is a failed project.

 

[Mas-LFC]

Imagine if Pakistan win this? Bangladesh would be the proudest nation on earth for their victory.

Of cause, why wouldn’t we be!. Dont br Jelous. after all its our brotherly nation, if its winning it, we are always happy like we’ve won. Pakistan Zindabad.

 

[Mas-LFC]

Good luck to Pakistan. Will be supporting you, so will 200million Bangladeshis. InshAllah you’ll win the tournament.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Of cause, why wouldn’t we be!. Dont br Jelous. after all its our brotherly nation, if its winning it, we are always happy like we’ve won. Pakistan Zindabad.

My brotherly nation is Australia (also voted in India’s favor). Together we’ve won 8 50 over world cups.

 

[Mas-LFC]

My brotherly nation is Australia (also voted in India’s favor). Together we’ve won 8 50 over world cups.

As if India and Australia were together as one nation before . but I guess your inferiority complex shown through. Aus won more wc’s than India despite having all the money and icc control.

 

[BreadPakoda]

As if India and Australia were together as one nation before . but I guess your inferiority complex shown through. Aus won more wc’s than India despite having all the money and icc control.

Better not to ever have been together than getting massacred on a mass scale by one. Do I need to tell you why your flag has a red circle?

Also, Australia supported BCCI in kicking Bangladesh out of the tournament. So bhai bhai.

 

[Mas-LFC]

Better not to ever have been together than getting massacred on a mass scale by one. Do I need to tell you why your flag has a red circle?

Also, Australia supported BCCI in kicking Bangladesh out of the tournament. So bhai bhai.

Also Australian players led by ponting, pushed bcci president out of the podium once after winning the champion trophy in India. that was epic

 

[PakFan2010]

Pakistan are lucky they are not playing in India.

This batting line-up would be exposed even more on flat pitches.