LAHORE: Pakistan's T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has given a hint that no major changes would be made in the national T20 squad ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, saying the team combination has already been made after months of preparation.
Speaking on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) podcast, Salman said he does not foresee any major change before the mega event. "I don’t think there will be any major changes before the World Cup. This is the combination we will continue with,” he said, adding: "All players have been assigned their roles and will move forward with the same structure."
It may be noted that the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka is scheduled from February 7 to March 8, with Pakistan placed in Group- A alongside India, USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands.
Salman also rejected reports regarding a potential change in captaincy ahead of the upcoming mega event and said, "As of now, the Pakistan team will compete in the T20 World Cup under my leadership. Pakistan wills six T20 matches before the mega tournament.
Stressing on consistency, he said, "We cannot make big changes in these six matches. We have played with this group for six months, and the results have started to come.”
About the T20I series against Sri Lanka before the mega event, he said it will benefit both senior and young players. "Senior players understand Sri Lankan conditions, and the new players will also gain valuable experience. The series will be important for us, and we will take it seriously,” he said.
It may be added that after the Sri Lanka tour, Pakistan are expected to host Australia for a T20I series, which will conclude shortly before the 20-over World Cup.
Salman Agha expressed confidence in Pakistan's progress but noted that improvement is still needed. “The team is on the right track, but there is still room for improvement. We want Pakistan to reach the level where everyone hopes to see it,” he added.
Expressing his desire, Salman said that he wants to win the T20 World Cup 2026 and then the ODI World Cup in 2027. This is my dream, and I would be very happy if it comes true, he said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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