Pakistan has revealed its provisional squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, as the last date for submitting provisional squads as per ICC norms was January 1. After being dropped from the Sri Lanka T20 series, Pakistan has included Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam in the temporary squad.
Pakistan failed to perform satisfactorily in the last edition of the World Cup, where, after consecutive defeats in the group-stage matches of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, they were eliminated even before qualifying for the Super-8 stages. Instead, the United States had qualified from the same group with India.
Like many other teams, Pakistan has also revealed its provisional squad for the ICC T20 World Cup, the date of announcement of the squad is January 1. According to reports, Pakistan has completed this process within the stipulated time limit of ICC.
Pakistan reveals provisional squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026
The International Cricket Council had set January 1 as the deadline for participating teams to submit their provisional squads for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be played in India and Sri Lanka.
According to the latest PTI report, Pakistan has submitted its provisional 15-member squad to the ICC; However, he has not yet revealed it to the public. The report also said that he had submitted the report within the time stipulated by the ICC.
Each team is allowed to make changes to its squad until January 31 without seeking permission from the ICC. However, changes thereafter can be made only after approval from the ICC.
Pakistan has included Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi in the temporary team.
Some sources have told PTI that Pakistan’s temporary team includes injured fast bowler Shaheen Afridi and experienced Pakistani batsman Babar Azam. Babar Azam, who is currently playing in the BBL, has not been selected for the upcoming T20 series in Sri Lanka.
However, after Azam’s good performances in the Big Bash League, he has been included in the provisional squad for the World Cup. Shaheen has also been included in the temporary squad after being ruled out of the series against Sri Lanka due to injury.
All-rounder Shadab Khan, who returned to cricket from the Big Bash League and has not played a single international match since May due to injury, has also been included in the temporary team. The selectors have shown an inclination towards players for the Sri Lanka tour, with Azam and Shaheen being the only exceptions.
Haris Rauf has also not been included in the temporary squad, while Salman Ali Aga will continue to lead the team in the shortest format. Mohammad Rizwan continues to be ignored in this format.
Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka
The 20-team tournament is to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka at a total of 8 venues. Location R for Pakistan. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (Colombo), and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy) as they play all their games in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan has been drawn in the same group with Namibia, Netherlands, India and the United States. They begin their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, while that will be followed by matches against the United States, India and Namibia.
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