T20 World Cup 2026: Salman Agha BACKS Babar Azam, says Pakistan squad needs ‘No major changes’

New Delhi: Pakistan’s T20 captain Salman Ali Agha has dismissed the possibility of major changes to the squad for next year’s Men’s T20 World Cup, noting that the team has made clear progress after players were assigned defined roles in recent months.

After the Asia Cup final loss to India earlier this year, Pakistan made major changes in the squad, adding Abdul Samad, Babar Azam, Usman Khan and Naseem Shah. The revamped side and emerged victorious in the three-match T20I series against South Africa at home and went on to clinch the Tri-series title, which included Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka last month.

“In my personal opinion, I don’t see any major changes in the national T20 squad before the World Cup,” Salman said on a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) podcast. “I think the current combination we have will be the one we will have in the World Cup. Every player had been given a specific role in recent months, and with that team had moved forward,” he added.

Pakistan are scheduled to play six T20Is before the World Cup

Pakistan are set to play only six T20Is before the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8 next year. Salman noted that with so few games left, making significant changes to the squad would be challenging.

“We have six T20 matches to play before the World Cup, and I don’t think we can make any big changes now in these remaining matches. We have to show consistency and move forward with the current combination,” he said.

Veteran all-rounder Shadab Khan, who served as vice-captain before suffering an injury in May and later undergoing shoulder surgery in London, has completed his rehab and is preparing for a return through the Big Bash in Australia. Salman said the “doors were not closed” for Shadab’s selection for the T20 World Cup, emphasising his vast experience.

Salman shared that his ambition is to win both upcoming T20I and ODI World Cup

Salman shared that his ambition is to win not only the upcoming T20 World Cup but also the 2027 ODI World Cup. He added that the short series in Sri Lanka next month would be highly valuable for the team, as all their T20 World Cup matches will also be played there.