KARACHI: Pacer Haris Rauf is more likely to be dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 set to be held from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka, sources mentioned on Tuesday.
Rauf, who final represented Pakistan within the 20-over format on the Asia Cup 2025 closing in opposition to India, is not going to be included within the 15-member staff, sources mentioned.
They add that coach Mike Hesson is just not in favour of Rauf’s inclusion following the Asia Cup closing in opposition to India in September 2025, the place the right-arm pacer conceded 50 runs in 3.4 overs with out taking any wicket.
The Inexperienced Shirts had misplaced the match with India efficiently chasing down the 147-run goal in 19.4 overs on the lack of 5 wickets to be topped champions.
Rauf, who has taken most wickets in T20Is by dismissing 133 batters in 94 matches, is at the moment taking part in the Huge Bash League (BBL) in Australia, the place he is representing Melbourne Stars.
Final week, Geo Information reported that the consultations for Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 and the upcoming house T20I sequence in opposition to Australia.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already submitted a preliminary record of gamers to the ICC for the T20 World Cup 2026, which might be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Nevertheless, it’s understood that the PCB could make modifications to the submitted record with out ICC approval till January 31.
Sources say the possible gamers embody captain Salman Ali Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed.
Different gamers into account are Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafay, whereas Abdul Samad, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Usman Tariq are more likely to be named among the many reserve gamers.
Pakistan have been drawn in Group A alongside India, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia and can play all of its matches in Sri Lanka.
The nationwide aspect will start their T20 World Cup 2026 marketing campaign in opposition to the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo.
They may face the USA on February 10, adopted by clashes in opposition to arch-rivals India on February 15 and Namibia on February 18 of their closing group-stage match.
The Males in Inexperienced might be taking part in all of their matches in Sri Lanka, beginning with 4 Group A fixtures in Colombo, whereas Tremendous Eight matches are scheduled to be held in Colombo and Kandy.
