Pakistan fans on Sunday criticised star batter Babar Azam’s inclusion in the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, starting February 7. Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. Led by all-rounder Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan named a 15-man squad for the showpiece event co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. However, social media users questioned the logic behind Babar’s inclusion despite poor returns with the bat in the Big Bash League (BBL).
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also came under scrutiny for ignoring promising batter Hasan Nawaz.
Meanwhile, Pakistan have excluded veteran pacer Haris Rauf, as Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah are set to spearhead the pace attack for the 2009 T20 WC champions.
Their squad also features all-rounders Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz, who are set to offer versatility with both bat and ball.
Pakistan are set to face Australia for a three-match T20I series at home ahead of the World Cup. The first Pakistan vs Australia T20I is set to be held on January 29 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Pakistan’s last T20I assignment came against Sri Lanka in a three-match series on Sri Lankan soil. While Pakistan started the series with a 6-wicket win against Sri Lanka, the second match was abandoned due to rain, and the third match was won by the hosts by 14 runs, with the series drawn 1-1.
Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup 2026:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.