Pakistan captain Salman Ali Aga has sent a strong and clear message ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. Salman has made it clear that he will remain with the current team and no major changes are expected for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
His confidence comes at a time when Pakistan have gradually rebuilt themselves after the Asia Cup 2025 shock and have finally found a combination that works for them in the shorter format of the game. Earlier this year, Pakistan hit the reset button after losing to India in the 2025 Asia Cup final.
Salman Ali Aga has been included in Pakistan’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad
The team took bold decisions and included four key players – Abdul Samad, Babar Azam, Usman Khan and Naseem Shah – to give the team a fresh start and the results were impressive. Pakistan defeated South Africa in a three-match T20I series and then won the tri-series trophy with Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka on home soil.
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The new group showed fight, balance and clarity and Salman is now against disturbing the T20I combo. The captain explained that over the past few months, each player in the team was given a specific role and that structure helped Pakistan grow as a team.
“In my personal opinion, I don’t see any major changes in the national T20 team ahead of the World Cup. I think the current combination we have will be the same as we will have in the World Cup. In recent months, each player has been given a specific role and the team has progressed with that,” Salman Ali Aga said on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Podcast.
Salman Ali Aga closes door to major changes ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2026
With just a few weeks left for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 to begin, he feels there is no time left to experiment. Pakistan only have six more T20 matches to play before the tournament begins and the captain wants to continue with the same formula that is working currently.
Salman further stressed, “We have six T20 matches to play before the World Cup and I don’t think we can make any major changes in these remaining matches. We have to be consistent and move forward with the current combination.”
Shadab Khan ready to make a comeback with BBL as Salman Ali Aga keeps the door open
A big talking point is veteran all-rounder Shadab Khan, who has been out of action since May due to a shoulder injury which required surgery in London. His recovery is now complete and he is preparing for his comeback in Australia via the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26.
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Speaking about the chances of his return to the T20 team, Salman clarified that Shadab’s experience is still important, and “doors will be open” for him.
Salman Ali Aghan calls Sri Lanka tour a game-changer before ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Well, the captain is already dreaming big at the moment, as he wants to win both the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and the ICC World Cup 2027. Ahead of the global tournament, the Men in Green will play a three-match T20 series in Sri Lanka next month.
Salman believes that this series will be extremely valuable as all their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches will be held in Sri Lanka. Getting used to the conditions, pitches and weather will be a big advantage as Pakistan aim for a second T20 World title.