After days of speculation and growing talk of a possible boycott in support of Bangladesh. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally broken its silence by announcing a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The move effectively ends what many observers had begun to call a game of brinkmanship.
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Especially after the International Cricket Council (ICC) reportedly warned the PCB of serious consequences should Pakistan withdraw from the tournament. The squad announcement, made on Sunday, has eased some of the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s immediate cricketing plans.
In a significant decision, the PCB confirmed that the national team will take part in the tournament under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha. This announcement has gone a long way toward calming fears that political tensions might overshadow one of cricket’s biggest global events.
Pakistan’s decision to move forward comes despite Bangladesh being removed from the tournament earlier this week. Bangladesh’s withdrawal had fueled rumors that Pakistan might follow a similar path in solidarity.
Instead, the PCB’s selection committee, led by Aqib Javed and head coach Mike Hesson. Chose to focus on assembling what it described as a balanced and aggressive squad capable of competing at the highest level.
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T20 World Cup 2026: Babar, Shaheen Return as PCB Unveils T20 World Cup Squad
For fans, the biggest talking point is the return of senior stars Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Both players had been left out of Pakistan’s recent T20I series, sparking debate about their future roles. Babar is back as the cornerstone of the batting line-up, expected to provide stability and leadership at the top order.
Shaheen, alongside Naseem Shah, will spearhead a pace attack that remains among the quickest and most dangerous in world cricket. However, the selection has not been without controversy. Express fast bowler Haris Rauf has been left out of the 15-man squad, a decision that has sparked widespread discussion on social media.
Reports suggest that his inconsistent form during the Asia Cup 2025, along with lingering fitness concerns, played a key role. Veteran wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has also missed out following a relatively subdued stint in the Big Bash League.
The announced squad includes Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, and Babar Azam. Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan. Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq.
Despite the squad announcement, Pakistan’s participation in the tournament is still not fully guaranteed. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stated that the final decision rests with the Pakistan government, particularly in light of Bangladesh’s exit from the competition.
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T20 World Cup Final: PCB Weighs India Match Forfeit Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
On January 24, the ICC officially removed Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to travel to India. Earlier, the BCB had requested that their matches be shifted to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns amid rising diplomatic tensions.
Those concerns intensified after Mustafizur Rahman was released by the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders on instructions from the BCCI. The ICC rejected the relocation request, stating that no verifiable threat existed and that altering the schedule so close to the tournament was not feasible. Bangladesh held firm, leading to their replacement by Scotland in the 20-team event.
While awaiting the government’s final word, reports suggest the PCB is now considering an alternative option. Forfeiting the Group A match against India on February 15, rather than boycotting the entire tournament.
According to sources, the board is carefully weighing the political, legal, and financial implications of such a move. Naqvi is currently in the United Arab Emirates, accompanying President Asif Ali Zardari, and has reportedly discussed the matter during the visit.
He is also expected to consult former PCB chairmen before reaching a decision. Internally, the idea of forfeiting the India match has gained traction, though a final call may depend on Pakistan’s results against the Netherlands on February 7 and the USA on February 10.
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