Amid lingering uncertainty over their participation, the Pakistan cricket team has begun its preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026 on home soil, signalling intent despite the off-field noise. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced a 15-member squad, a selection that sparked immediate debate for several bold calls. An out-of-form Babar Azam found a place in the squad, while established names such as Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf were surprisingly left out.
Much of the spotlight is firmly on Babar, whose inclusion comes after a forgettable stint in the Big Bash League. The former Pakistan captain has returned to intense net sessions, keen to rediscover rhythm and confidence ahead of the team’s departure to Sri Lanka, where Pakistan will play all their group-stage matches.
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A training clip featuring Babar has since gone viral on social media. In a match simulation, the star batter was seen taking on Shaheen Shah Afridi, smashing a sequence of 6, 4, 6, 1, 4 against Pakistan’s premier fast bowler. The footage has offered fans a glimpse of Babar’s intent to silence critics ahead of the global event.
Babar Azam smashed 6,4,6,1,4 against Shaheen Afridi in scenario based practice match. 🔥
— Salman. (@TsMeSalman) January 26, 2026
The PCB also confirmed that Salman Ali Agha will lead Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. However, Pakistan’s participation remains subject to government approval following Bangladesh’s exit from the tournament.
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PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the final decision would be taken after consultations with the Pakistan government. On Monday, Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, though he later found himself at the centre of online trolling after mistakenly naming former PM Nawaz Sharif in a social media post, which was swiftly deleted and corrected.
As preparations continue, Pakistan’s World Cup build-up remains a mix of cricketing focus and political suspense.
