Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday officially announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, naming Salman Ali Agha as captain for the marquee tournament. The squad combines experienced campaigners with a group of exciting newcomers, signaling a strategic shift as Pakistan aim to reclaim global dominance in the shortest format.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, addressed by PCB High Performance Director and national selection committee member Aqib Javed, alongside newly appointed skipper Salman Ali Agha and white-ball head coach Michael James Hesson.
Salman Ali Agha Handed Captaincy for T20 World Cup
Salman Ali Agha’s elevation to captaincy marks a significant leadership transition for Pakistan cricket. Known for his calm temperament and tactical awareness, Salman will lead a side that still includes senior figures such as Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, both former captains with vast international experience.
PCB officials described the move as part of a broader vision to build a flexible leadership group while preparing for future ICC events.
One of the standout features of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad is the inclusion of six players who will be featuring in their first ICC mega-event:
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Salman Ali Agha (captain)
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Faheem Ashraf
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Khawaja Mohammad Nafay
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Mohammad Salman Mirza
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Sahibzada Farhan
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Usman Tariq
Their selection reflects the PCB’s emphasis on performance-based selection and depth-building ahead of a demanding international calendar. Khawaja Nafay, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Khan provide multiple wicketkeeping options, adding tactical flexibility to the squad.
Core Group : T20 World Cup
While fresh faces dominate headlines, Pakistan have retained a solid core of players who have previously featured in T20 World Cups since 2021. This experienced group includes:
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Babar Azam
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Shaheen Shah Afridi
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Shadab Khan
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Fakhar Zaman
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Naseem Shah
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Abrar Ahmed
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Mohammad Nawaz
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Saim Ayub
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Usman Khan
Their presence ensures continuity and stability, particularly in high-pressure knockout matches, where experience often proves decisive.
Tournament
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams, with each side playing four group-stage matches. The tournament structure includes:
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Group Stage
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Super Eight
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Knockout Stage
The competition will run from 7 February to 8 March, making squad depth and workload management crucial factors for success.
Australia T20I Series
Pakistan’s World Cup preparations will include a three-match T20I series against Australia, scheduled at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on:
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29 January
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31 January
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1 February
The national training camp has already commenced, with the series expected to play a vital role in finalizing combinations, leadership roles, and match strategies ahead of the World Cup opener.
Full Pakistan Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
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Salman Ali Agha (captain)
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Abrar Ahmed
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Babar Azam
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Faheem Ashraf
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Fakhar Zaman
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Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk)
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Mohammad Nawaz
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Mohammad Salman Mirza
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Naseem Shah
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Sahibzada Farhan (wk)
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Saim Ayub
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Shaheen Shah Afridi
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Shadab Khan
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Usman Khan (wk)
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Usman Tariq
