Fast bowler Haris Rauf is likely to be dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, sources said on Tuesday.
Haris Rauf, who last played a T20I for Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final against India, is not expected to be included in the 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Sources added that head coach Mike Hesson is not in favor of Rauf’s selection following his performance in the Asia Cup final in September 2025. In that match, the right-arm pacer conceded 50 runs in 3.4 overs without taking a wicket.
Pakistan lost the final as India successfully chased a target of 147 runs in 19.4 overs, losing five wickets to clinch the title.
Despite being Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals with 133 wickets in 94 matches, Rauf is currently playing in Australia’s Big Bash League, representing the Melbourne Stars.
Last week, sources reported that consultations were ongoing regarding Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 and the upcoming home T20I series against Australia.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has already submitted a preliminary list of players to the International Cricket Council for the tournament. However, changes can still be made to the list without ICC approval until January 31.
According to sources, the probable players include captain Salman Ali Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Khan, and Abrar Ahmed.
Other players under consideration are Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, and Khawaja Nafay. Meanwhile, Abdul Samad, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Usman Tariq are likely to be named as reserve players.
Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, the United States, the Netherlands, and Namibia. All of Pakistan’s group-stage matches will be played in Sri Lanka.
The team will begin their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo. They will face the USA on February 10, followed by a high-profile clash against India on February 15. Pakistan’s final group-stage match will be against Namibia on February 18.
Pakistan will play all of the matches in Sri Lanka, with the four Group A fixtures scheduled in Colombo. Super Eight matches will be held in Colombo and Kandy.
