Salman hints at Pakistan squad selection for T20 World Cup

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has provided some insight into how his side may shape their squad for next year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan will enter the upcoming edition of the tournament in decent shape, with the side having enjoyed a recent run of success in the shortest format since Salman took over as T20I skipper earlier this year.

The Asian side were most recently victorious in a tri-series at home against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka and Salman expects the majority of the squad that featured there will also be a part of the team at the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup that will commence on February 7 next year.

“I don’t think there will be any major changes before the World Cup; this will be the combination. All players have been given their roles, and we will move forward with these roles,” Salman said on a podcast for the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“Six matches are left before the T20 World Cup, we will have to play with consistency. We cannot make big changes in these six matches."

Three of those six matches that Salman refers to are against Sri Lanka away from home in January as the team finalises their preparation for the T20 World Cup, where Pakistan are drawn in Group A alongside arch-rival India, USA, Netherlands and Namibia.

If Pakistan do stick with the bulk of their squad that featured during the tri-series then that is good news for former skipper Babar Azam and key pacer Naseem Shah after the duo were among a group of players that won a recall for the matches following a period where they appeared out of favour.

Those performances at the tri-series has Salman thinking that his team is building confidence under his captaincy as he begins to dream about the prospect of helping Pakistan claim their second T20 World Cup title and first since 2009.

“We have played with this group for six months, and the results have started to come," Salman suggested.

"I want us to win the 2026 T20 World Cup and then the 2027 ODI World Cup. Winning both World Cups is my dream; if it happens, I will be very happy.

“As of now, Pakistan will play the T20 World Cup under my captaincy. Senior players understand Sri Lankan pitches; the Sri Lanka series will benefit the new players before the World Cup.

“The team is on the right track, but there is still room for improvement. We want Pakistan to reach the level where everyone hopes to see it."