Pakistan Announces T20 World Cup Squad Under Shadow of ICC Ban Threat After Bangladesh Boycott Drama
Salman Ali Agha to captain 15-member squad featuring Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi; ICC warns of unprecedented sanctions including Asia Cup exclusion and PSL foreign player ban if Pakistan withdraws in solidarity with Bangladesh
The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced its 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, ending weeks of uncertainty over the nation’s participation amid escalating tensions with the international cricket body and a looming threat of severe sanctions.
Salman Ali Agha will captain the side, with the squad including Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq.
The announcement, made Sunday morning at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, comes just hours after the ICC issued stern warnings about potential consequences if Pakistan follows Bangladesh’s path and withdraws from the tournament.
ICC’S UNPRECEDENTED WARNING
The ICC has threatened to impose sanctions on Pakistan including no bilateral series with any international team, no NOC for foreign players in the PSL, and no Asia Cup participation, according to sources quoted by The Indian Express.
The ICC could disallow foreign players from participating in the PSL, heavily damaging the credibility of the league, exclude Pakistan from the Asia Cup, suspend every bilateral series that Pakistan is part of, and reduce funding for the PSL, potentially causing catastrophic financial losses to the board.
The ICC is prepared to impose “never-before” sanctions if Pakistan opts out of the tournament, including withdrawal of international recognition and commercial backing for the PSL.
THE BANGLADESH BACKSTORY
The controversy erupted after Scotland officially replaced Bangladesh in the tournament on Saturday. Bangladesh withdrew citing security concerns after the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release their pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026 squad.
Following Bangladesh’s withdrawal earlier this week, the PCB decided to proceed with naming their squad, effectively drawing the curtain on the political uncertainty that had threatened to overshadow the event.
NAQVI’S DEFIANT STANCE
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Asian Cricket Council President, has been vocal in his support for Bangladesh, accusing the ICC of unfair treatment.
Naqvi stated that whether Pakistan plays in the T20 World Cup or not will be decided by the government, adding “Our PM is out of the country. When he comes back, we will take advice from him. The decision by the government will be final and binding”.
When asked about contingency plans if Pakistan doesn’t play, Naqvi said the board had “Plan A, B, C, and D” in mind without providing further details.
THE SQUAD BREAKDOWN
Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Tariq have received their maiden mega-event call-ups to the Pakistan squad.
The most notable return is that of Babar Azam, the all-time leading run-getter in Men’s T20Is, who adds rich experience to the Pakistan batting lineup. Veteran pacer Haris Rauf has been excluded from the squad.
Led by Salman Agha, Pakistan have excluded veteran pacer Haris Rauf as Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah are set to spearhead the pace attack for the 2009 T20 WC champions.
The squad also features spin options with Shadab Khan making his comeback after a six-month absence, alongside Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq.
GROUP STAGE CHALLENGE
Pakistan are slotted in Group A alongside co-hosts and defending champions India, Netherlands, USA and Namibia. All of Pakistan’s matches will be played in Sri Lanka, avoiding the diplomatic complications of playing in India.
The India vs Pakistan clash on February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka is expected to be one of the most watched matches of the tournament.
POTENTIAL ISOLATION
Sources close to the ICC have made it clear that Pakistan’s withdrawal would be viewed as a direct challenge to the governing body’s authority. If Pakistan chooses to follow Bangladesh’s path, the ICC is likely to view it as a direct challenge to its authority, forcing the global body to respond firmly to protect the integrity of international tournaments.
The potential isolation could be devastating. Without NOCs for foreign players, the Pakistan Super League would lose its international star power, transforming from a prestigious global event into a domestic competition. The PSL, considered the financial backbone of Pakistan cricket, could face massive revenue losses from reduced ICC funding and loss of commercial partnerships.
Exclusion from the Asia Cup would rob Pakistan of crucial regional rivalries, particularly against arch-rivals India. The suspension of bilateral series would leave Pakistan’s international calendar virtually empty, depriving players of competitive cricket and the board of broadcasting revenues.
THE POLITICAL DIMENSION
Naqvi made it clear that the PCB would act strictly in accordance with instructions from the government, stating that the matter was no longer a cricketing decision.
Pakistan was the only cricket board that supported Bangladesh during the ICC meeting where members voted to remove them from the tournament. This solidarity has now put Pakistan in the crosshairs of potential ICC action.
EXPERT ANALYSIS
The selection committee, headed by Aqib Javed and working with white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, has concentrated on assembling an aggressive and well-rounded team despite the political turmoil surrounding participation.
The squad includes nine players with previous World Cup experience: Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Usman Khan, all of whom have featured in at least one edition of the tournament since 2021.
The tournament begins on February 7 across India and Sri Lanka. As of now, Pakistan’s participation remains confirmed with the squad announcement, but the final decision rests with the government of Pakistan, expected once Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif returns to the country.
With just two weeks until the tournament begins, Pakistan cricket stands at a crossroads between political solidarity with Bangladesh and the existential threat of unprecedented international isolation. The coming days will determine whether the Men in Green take the field in pursuit of their second T20 World Cup title or face a crippling ban that could reshape Pakistani cricket for years to come.
