In a move that’s left cricket fans scratching their heads, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled its 15-member squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, captained by Salman Ali Agha. The selection has sparked widespread debate, particularly over the inclusion of Babar Azam despite his dismal Big Bash League (BBL) performance, while the league’s top wicket-taker Haris Rauf finds himself on the sidelines.
The BBL 2025-26 season saw several Pakistani stars in action, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Shadab Khan. However, injuries and national duties pulled some away early. Babar, playing for Sydney Sixers, endured a nightmare run, scoring just 202 runs in 11 matches at an average of 22.44 and a strike rate of 103.06. Fears of being dropped loomed, prompting his early return to Pakistan citing national duty.
Mohammad Rizwan’s stint with Melbourne Renegades was equally forgettable, mustering 187 runs in 10 innings at an average of 18.70. Haris Rauf, also with Renegades, proved expensive with an economy of 8.23 but topped the charts with 20 wickets in 11 games. Yet, in a baffling twist, Rizwan and Rauf were omitted from the World Cup squad, while Babar earned a spot.
This decision underscores ongoing questions about PCB selectors’ consistency. The full squad includes Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khwaja Mohammad Nafees (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq.
As Pakistan gears up for the global showdown, fans are left wondering if this bold gamble will pay off or expose deeper selection flaws. The road to 2026 promises drama.