Pakistan’s best XI for T20 World Cup 2026

Pakistan can be considered one of the dark horses in the upcoming T20 World Cup, starting on Saturday, February 7. They have often punched above their weight in ICC events and would hope that the early exit in the 2024 T20 World Cup was a minor blip.

The conversation around the Pakistan team has been mostly dominated by their government’s decision not to allow them to face India on February 15. Apart from the game against India, the Men in Green are scheduled to face the UAE, Namibia, and the Netherlands, who are all placed in Group A.

Salman Ali Agha’s men would be entering the tournament with confidence, having beaten Australia 3-0 in a three-match T20I series at home.

Here’s India’s Predicted XI against England:

Openers: Fakhar Zaman/Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub

There is going to be a selection conundrum at the top for Pakistan. Either Fakhar Zaman or Sahibzada Farhan is going to form the opening pair with Saim Ayub. Both Fakhar and Farhan failed to impress during the series against Australia. However, Pakistan will hope that at least one of them finds form during the marquee event.

Meanwhile, Saim Ayub had a brilliant outing against the Aussies. In three innings, he scored 119 runs at an average of 39.67 and a strike rate of 170. He will have a crucial role to play at the top of the order, being one of the in-form batters in the side.

Middle Order: Salman Ali Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (WK)

Salman Ali Agha scored 120 runs in three innings against Australia at a strike rate of 171.43. He is expected to bat at No. 3, which is a crucial position in the lineup. He will look to play the anchor’s role, while the others would have to bat around him.

Babar Azam did not have a great time during the Big Bash League. He also had a slow start in the series against Australia but hit his straps in the final T20I, where he remained unbeaten on 50 off 36. The right-handed batter will have a point to prove.

Usman Khan has not had a great start to his international career. Having played 31 T20Is, the wicketkeeper-batter has only managed two half-centuries. However, the half-century he scored in the second T20I against Australia should give him confidence.

All-rounders: Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf

Shadab Khan performed well in the Big Bash League and earned a recall to the Pakistan team for the tour of Sri Lanka in January. He has scored 99 runs at a strike rate of 170.68 and picked up six wickets at an average of 18.16 since his comeback.

Mohammad Nawaz can play a significant role for Pakistan with his all-round skills. He did not have a great time with the bat against Australia, but finished as the highest wicket-taker with seven wickets from three matches at an average of 7.71.

Faheem Ashraf had been in red-hot form in the Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26. In six matches, he took 14 wickets at an average of 13. While his batting has tapered off, he has added more edge to his bowling.

Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah

Shaheen Afridi is going to be the spearhead of the bowling attack. The experienced campaigner will look to pick wickets with the new ball. He has the ability to swing the ball both ways, and if he can get wickets in the powerplay, it will make things easier for the bowlers to follow.

Abrar Ahmed bagged six wickets in three games at a mind-boggling average of 7 against Australia. His wicket-taking ability could give Pakistan the advantage through the middle overs. Abrar is also a gutsy performer and won’t get demotivated easily if he goes for runs in an over or two.

Naseem Shah will bowl with steam, and he can nail the yorkers in the death overs at pace. The right-arm seamer can also swing the ball and be quite a handful in pacer-friendly conditions. Naseem has played 36 T20Is, picking up 31 wickets at an economy rate of 8.10.

Pakistan’s predicted XI for T20 World Cup 2026:

Fakhar Zaman/Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah.