T20 World Cup 2026: Strongest Pakistan playing XI
Pakistan, the most unpredictable team in cricket history, recently whitewashed Australia 3-0 at home, establishing themselves as strong contenders for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The conditions in Sri Lanka will also suit the Pakistani team, which could help them win their second T20 World Cup title after 2009. The team recently announced its squad, which will be led by Salman Ali Agha. Babar Azam has also returned to the team.
The Pakistan team has been placed in Group A along with archrivals India, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia. Last time, the Pakistani team was eliminated in the group stage after losing to the USA and India, and this time they will be looking to take revenge against both teams. The team will begin its campaign on February 7th against the Netherlands. They will then face the USA on the 10th, India on the 15th, and Namibia on the 18th.
It will be fascinating to watch whether the Pakistan team enters the field against India on February 15 or boycotts the match as per the government’s India vs. Pakistan boycott decision. Under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha, the Pakistan team is going through a transition phase. The team’s performance is good. Apart from India, they defeated almost every team, including Australia.
The team has Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman as experienced veteran batters. While they picked 5 key all-rounders in their squad, including Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and skipper Salman Ali Agha himself. The team has 3 wicket-keeper batters, including Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, and Khwaja Nafay. Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq are the two full-time spinners, while Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Salman Mirza will be the three fast bowling options. On paper, the squad is looking good.
The Pakistan team management might have to be innovative to finalise their playing XI. Against Australia, Sahibzada Farhan opened the innings with Saim Ayub. At 3, Salman Ali Agha batted. And it is expected that the same batting order will follow in the upcoming World Cup. It means Babar Azam will bat at 4. While Fakhar Zaman will feature at 5. Following this, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz will bat. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah will be the two fast bowlers, while Abrar Ahmed will be the frontline spinner. Pakistan will have to choose only one from Faheem Ashraf and Usman Tariq for the playing XI. The team has Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan as key spin all-rounders. So, Pakistan might go with Faheem Ashraf.
With this combination and the spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka, the Pakistan team might easily make it to the Super 8 round. However, this team is unpredictable. The team could lose either of their group games against Namibia, the Netherlands, or the United States. On their day, however, this team is capable of defeating any formidable team. This team lost to the USA and Zimbabwe in the previous two T20 World Cups.
Strongest Pakistan playing XI
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha ©, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Faheem Ashraf/Usman Tariq, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
