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With the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup 2026 just hours away, cricket fans are glued to every development, including the likely playing XI for Pakistan ahead of the curtain raiser.
Keeping scheduling and weather challenges in mind, sources close to the team have confirmed that the Men in Green will field a strong playing XI to start their campaign confidently.
Pakistan will be keen to earn maximum points on the table with a better run rate, as the forfeited match against India leaves the Green Shirts with little margin for error in the group stage.
With BBC Weather predicting thundery showers in Colombo tomorrow, the management is likely to include aggressive batters in the playing XI to handle any situation if rain interrupts the game.
Sources suggest the management may opt for six specialist batters, including wicketkeeper Usman Khan, with Nafay batting in the lower middle order to strengthen the team’s finishing in the final overs.
The playing XI is expected to feature two premier fast bowlers, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, alongside all-rounders Saim Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz, and Shadab Khan to balance batting and bowling.
Abrar is likely to support the spin attack after impressing with his performance in the recently concluded three matches T20I series against Australia at home, just ahead of the World Cup.
Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan will open the innings for the national team, with Salman Ali Agha and experienced batter Babar Azam providing support in the middle order.
Mystery spinner Usman Tariq is expected to be used strategically in crucial matches, while Faheem Ashraf and Salman Mirza may be rested, given pitch conditions favoring spin.
Probable playing XI:
Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afirdi, Abrar Ahmed.
