Pakistan U-Turn: Drops Boycott Threat, Confirms 15-Man Squad for T20 World Cup

Pakistan on Sunday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, signaling a reversal of an earlier boycott threat issued by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The tournament is scheduled to be held across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, with all of Pakistan’s group-stage matches set to take place in Sri Lanka.

The decision comes days after Naqvi suggested that Pakistan could withdraw from the tournament in protest after the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, following Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India, citing security concerns. Naqvi had earlier said the final call on Pakistan’s participation would rest with the federal government, adding uncertainty over the team’s involvement.

Salman Ali Agha has been appointed captain for the global event. The squad was announced at a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium, addressed by PCB High Performance Director Aqib Javed, Agha, and white-ball head coach Michael James Hesson. Officials confirmed that the selected players largely mirror the group set to feature in Pakistan’s upcoming home T20 series against Australia.

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Selectors opted for continuity, making only one notable exclusion from the Australia series squad, with medium pacer Mohammad Wasim Jr. missing out. The World Cup squad includes two specialist spinners—Abrar Ahmed and mystery spinner Usman Tariq—along with spin all-rounders Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, and Saim Ayub. Young batter Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, who has limited international exposure, also finds a place.

Several players, including Agha, Faheem Ashraf, and Usman Tariq, have earned their maiden call-ups for a major ICC event, while experienced names such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan bring prior World Cup experience. Pakistan has been drawn in Group A and will open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, as preparations intensify amid a politically sensitive backdrop surrounding the tournament.

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