Pakistan submit preliminary squad to ICC for T20 World Cup 2026
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has submitted the preliminary squad to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
According to media reports, the deadline for the 20-team tournament, scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, is set at January 31.
The participating teams are permitted to make changes to their preliminary squads without the apex body’s approval until the aforementioned deadline; however, any modifications to the contingents after this date would require the approval of the ICC Technical Committee. Consequently, Pakistan, slotted in Group A, have also submitted the 15-member provisional squad as well as the list of travelling reserves.
The insiders have revealed that the initial names of players include the senior trio of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, besides the Green Shirts’ squad for the upcoming away T20I series against Sri Lanka, during which they plan to analyse the performances of a couple of players. Following the Sri Lanka tour, Pakistan will announce their squad for the expected three-match home T20I series against Australia and the T20 World Cup 2026, insiders suggested.
For the unversed, the away series against Sri Lanka will run from January 7 to 11, while the home assignment against Australia is likely to be held from January 30 to February 5. The 2009 champions will start their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan will play all of their matches in Sri Lanka, beginning with four Group A fixtures in Colombo, with Super Eights matches also scheduled in Colombo and Kandy. Monitoring Desk
