T20 World Cup 2026: Haris Rauf likely to be ignored in Pakistan squad

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf is unlikely to be included in the Men in Green’s plans for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Sources in the know have indicated that the decision to drop Rauf has been influenced by head coach Mike Hesson’s choice to not go ahead with the ace pacer. As a result, Rauf has been kept out of the list of players under consideration for the World Cup squad.

For the unversed, Rauf has not featured in the shortest format of the game for Pakistan since the loss in the 2025 Asia Cup, further reducing his chances of making the final cut. His absence from recent international assignments has coincided with a phase where the team management has been assessing available bowling resources ahead of the global tournament, according to reports.

At present, Rauf is actively participating in Australia’s Big Bash League, where he continues to play franchise cricket for Melbourne Stars. He has taken 18 wickets thus far in BBL 2025-26 in 10 games at an average of 17.06 and an economy rate of 7.94. However, performances in overseas leagues are not understood to have significantly forced Pakistan’s selection calls, as reported by Daily Ausaf.

Rauf has played 94 T20Is thus far, picking up 133 scalps with an economy of 8.38. In the Asia Cup 2025, he played five games, picking up nine wickets at an average of 18.33 at an economy rate of 9.00, where the Men in Green emerged as the runners-up. No official statement has yet been issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board which can confirm Rauf’s place, though.

When will Pakistan announce final squad for T20 World Cup 2026?

The final announcement is expected in the coming days, which will provide clarity on the team’s combination and strategy heading into the ICC event. Notably, the last date to submit the squad for the twenty-team tournament, which will be co-hosted across India and Sri Lanka, is January 31, i.e., a week prior to the commencement of the global cricketing extravaganza.

The final composition of Pakistan’s 15-member squad is said to be taking shape based on current form, availability, and long-term planning for the T20 format. With limited time remaining before the multinational tournament, the management appears focused on finalising a settled group rather than making last-minute changes.