The Pakistan Cricket Team enter the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 as one of the most unpredictable and explosive sides in the format. Known for their flair, pace bowling firepower, and ability to produce match-winning performances under pressure, the Men in Green are perennial contenders.
Team Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Men in Green |
| Association | Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) |
| Captains | Test: Shan Masood ODI: Shaheen Afridi T20I: Salman Ali Agha |
| Coach | Mike Hesson |
| Test Status Acquired | 1952 |
| ICC Status | Full Member (1952) |
| ICC Region | Asia |
| World Cup wins | ODI: 1992, T20I: 2009 |
| 1st Test | India at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, Delhi; 16-18 October 1952 |
| 1st ODI | New Zealand at Lancaster Park, Christchurch; 11 February 1973 |
| 1st T20I | England at the Bristol County Ground, Bristol; 28 August 2006 |
Team Bio
Pakistan cricket has long been synonymous with flair, resilience, and unpredictability in the T20 format. Winners of the 2009 T20 World Cup under Younis Khan, who defeated Sri Lanka in the final at Lord’s, the team has consistently reached deep into tournaments, finishing as runners-up in 2007 (to India) and 2022 (to England), and making semifinals in 2010, 2012, and 2021. Their pace attack, led by express bowlers like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, remains one of the most feared in world cricket, capable of dismantling top orders in the powerplay and death overs.
The batting lineup blends experience with youth: Babar Azam, the all-time leading run-scorer in men’s T20Is, provides stability at the top, supported by aggressive openers like Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, while all-rounders such as Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Faheem Ashraf offer balance. Under new T20I captain Salman Ali Agha and head coach Mike Hesson, the side features a mix of returning stars and exciting debutants like Khawaja Mohammad Nafay and Usman Tariq. Despite recent inconsistencies, Pakistan’s ability to peak in big moments makes them dangerous opponents in the 2026 edition, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, where they aim to reclaim the title they last won 17 years ago.
Pakistan schedule for T20 World Cup 2026
| Date | Team 1 | Team 2 | Venue | Stage | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/02/2026 | Pakistan | Netherlands | SSC, Colombo | Group A | 11:00 |
| 10/02/2026 | Pakistan | USA | SSC, Colombo | Group A | 19:00 |
| 15/02/2026 | India | Pakistan | Premadasa, Colombo | Group A | 19:00 |
| 18/02/2026 | Pakistan | Namibia | SSC, Colombo | Group A | 15:00 |
Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Salman Ali Agha (C), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
