Pakistan bring back Babar, Shadab and Naseem for T20 World Cup

Pakistan have included Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah in their 15-man squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, making significant changes from the group picked for the Asia Cup last year.

While the squad has been announced, Pakistan's participation in the ICC event remains subject to government approval, as indicated earlier by the PCB Chairman.

Head coach Aaqib Javed said in a press conference: "We are selectors, and our job is to pick the team. We've announced the team very close to the deadline. The government will decide on our participation so I can say nothing on that front. That's what the chairman has said, too, so we'll wait for their decision."

Fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jnr have been left out, along with Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris and Sufiyan Muqeem.

Salman Ali Agha continues as captain after leading the side in the Asia Cup. Several players from that squad have retained their places, including Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Notably, while Babar Azam returns to the T20 setup, Mohammad Rizwan—who was also absent from the Asia Cup squad—does not feature in the World Cup squad.

Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Tariq have received their maiden mega-event call-ups to the Pakistan squad.

Pakistan open their campaign against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7 and will play a three-match home T20I series against Australia as part of their build-up.

Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup:
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, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq.