Pakistan enter the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup aiming for a second title, relying on their main batters and the all-round contributions of Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz in Asian conditions.Their build-up to the tournament has seen mixed results on and off the field. At the same time, home series wins against Australia and improved output from spinners and all-rounders have provided some positives.
Team record since T20 World Cup 2024Since their group-stage exit in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Pakistan have played 47 T20Is, winning 27 and losing 20.They have taken part in 13 series or multi-team events, winning seven. Results away from home have been inconsistent, with losses to Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.Their series results are as follows: a 0-3 loss to Australia away in November 2024; a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe away in December 2024; a 0-2 loss to South Africa away in December 2024; a 1-4 loss to New Zealand away in March 2025; a 3-0 win over Bangladesh at home in May 2025; a 1-2 loss to Bangladesh away in July 2025; a 2-1 win over West Indies in the USA between July and August 2025; a tri-series win in the UAE over Afghanistan and UAE between August and September 2025; Asia Cup runners-up finish to India in September 2025; a 2-1 home series win over South Africa between October and November 2025; a home tri-series win over Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in November 2025; a 1-1 home series draw against Sri Lanka in January 2026; and a 3-0 home series win over Australia between January and February 2026.Top performers since the last T20 World CupSaim Ayub has scored 919 runs in 38 matches at an average of 26.25 and a strike rate of 141.16, with six half-centuries. He has also taken 24 wickets at an average of 22.Sahibzada Farhan has made 862 runs in 34 matches at an average of 26.12 and a strike rate above 131, with eight half-centuries.Salman Agha has scored 856 runs in 45 matches at an average of 25.17 and a strike rate above 122, with six fifties.Abrar Ahmed has taken 44 wickets in 31 matches at an average of 16.88, including a four-wicket haul.Mohammad Nawaz has taken 44 wickets at an average of 13.45, with two five-wicket hauls and best figures of 5/18. He has also scored 419 runs in 26 innings at an average of 19.95 and a strike rate above 140, with a highest score of 38.Shaheen Shah Afridi has taken 32 wickets in 28 matches at an average of 23.96, with best figures of 3/17.Positives for PakistanPakistan have a record of nine wins and four losses in T20Is played in Sri Lanka, where they begin their group-stage matches.Khawaja Mohammad Nafay has played two short innings in two T20Is. He also scored 178 runs in eight matches in the Abu Dhabi T10 for Quetta Qawalry at a strike rate of 243.5.Mohammad Nawaz continues to contribute with both bat and ball, as reflected in his numbers since the last World Cup.Saim Ayub, the top-ranked T20I all-rounder, provides balance with his batting and spin bowling.The spin group of Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz has produced results. Their combined bowling average of 17.43 since the last T20 World Cup is second among Test-playing nations, behind India’s 15.99.Negatives for PakistanBabar Azam has returned to the T20I side after a Big Bash League season where he scored 202 runs for Sydney Sixers at a strike rate above 103 and an average above 22, with two half-centuries. Since the last T20 World Cup, he has scored 360 runs in 16 innings at an average of 27.69 and a strike rate above 120, with three fifties. His presence means Pakistan have not fully moved away from the ‘anchor’ role in T20Is.Haris Rauf is not part of the squad despite taking 31 wickets in 22 matches since the last T20 World Cup at an average above 21, including two four-wicket hauls.Pakistan’s overall batting strike rate of 129.32 is the third lowest among Test-playing nations, ahead of only Afghanistan (125.27) and Sri Lanka (124.83). The captain’s strike rate of just over 122 adds to this concern.Pakistan squadSalman Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
