The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has signaled a fresh start for the national side by announcing a revamped squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, while following a disappointing run in the previous edition, the board has opted for a massive overhaul, changing both the leadership and the core philosophy of the team.
A New Leadership Era: Salman Ali Agha Takes Charge
In a significant move, Salman Ali Agha has been appointed as the new captain of the T20I side, replacing Babar Azam, while while Babar remains in the squad as a specialist batter, the captaincy shift marks a transition towards a new tactical approach. Accompanying him is the newly appointed head coach, Mike Hesson. The former New Zealand coach is expected to bring stability and a modern cricketing mindset to the dressing room.
Retirements and Major Exclusions
The squad announcement confirmed the end of an era for two veteran all-rounders, while mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who had come out of retirement for the 2024 World Cup, have officially retired from international cricket once again. Also, heavyweights like Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf have been dropped from. The squad, indicating the selectors' preference for fresh legs and current form over past reputations.
Fresh Blood: Six Debutants Included
The 15-member squad features six players who will be making their T20 World Cup debut. This includes the captain Salman Ali Agha himself, along with Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafe, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Tariq. The inclusion of these players suggests that Pakistan is building a team for the future, focusing on high-impact youngsters who have performed well in domestic circuits.
Full Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Khawaja (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), and Usman Tariq.