Pakistan Set to Announce T20 World Cup 2026 Squad Tomorrow: Rauf’s Exclusion Shocks Fans
Breaking news from Pakistan cricket! Sources confirm that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will announce the T20 World Cup 2026 squad tomorrow (Friday), and the rumors are already sending shockwaves through the cricket community. Haris Rauf, one of Pakistan’s premier fast bowlers, is reportedly NOT making the final cut. Here’s everything we know so far.
The Big Announcement: What to Expect Friday
Pakistan fans have been waiting anxiously for squad news, and it’s finally happening. Tomorrow’s announcement will reveal not just the World Cup squad but also the team for the upcoming Australia series. This dual revelation makes Friday one of the most crucial days in Pakistan cricket this year.
The tournament starts February 7, giving the selected players just over two weeks to prepare. With matches across India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan needs a squad that can handle pressure, adapt to different conditions, and deliver when it matters most.
Haris Rauf’s Shocking Exclusion
This is the story everyone’s talking about. Haris Rauf, who’s been a mainstay in Pakistan’s T20 setup, is reportedly unlikely to make the final squad. Let that sink in for a moment.
Rauf isn’t just any bowler—he’s been Pakistan’s wicket-taking weapon in the death overs. His ability to bowl 145+ km/h consistently and deliver yorkers under pressure has won Pakistan countless matches. So why is he being left out?
| Haris Rauf’s Recent T20I Stats | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Matches (Last 12 months) | 18 |
| Wickets | 24 |
| Economy Rate | 8.2 |
| Average | 26.5 |
| Best Figures | 4/22 |
The numbers don’t suggest a player who should be dropped. This decision, if true, points to either:
- Fitness concerns that haven’t been made public
- Team balance issues where selectors prefer different bowling options
- Recent form dips in domestic or franchise cricket
- Disciplinary reasons or internal team dynamics
Whatever the reason, leaving out Rauf is a massive gamble that’s already dividing opinion among fans and experts.
Abdul Samad: From Main Squad to Reserves
Another surprising development involves Abdul Samad, the explosive middle-order batsman who’s been lighting up the IPL and domestic cricket. Sources suggest Samad will be named in the reserves rather than the main 15-man squad.
Samad’s power-hitting has made him a fan favorite, especially in the death overs where Pakistan has historically struggled. His ability to clear boundaries at will seemed like exactly what Pakistan needed for the World Cup.
Why Samad Might Be in Reserves:
- Pakistan’s middle order is already packed with established names
- Selectors might prefer all-rounders for better team balance
- His T20I experience is limited compared to competitors
- Reserve status keeps him ready if injuries strike
While disappointing for Samad fans, being in reserves isn’t the end of the road. If any player picks up an injury during the Australia series or in the lead-up to the World Cup, Samad could still get his chance.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 Challenge
Let’s zoom out and look at the bigger picture. Pakistan enters this World Cup with a point to prove. They’ve been runners-up before, they’ve had heartbreaking exits, and they’ve shown moments of brilliance mixed with inexplicable collapses.
The tournament format demands consistency. Here’s what Pakistan faces:
| Tournament Phase | Details |
|---|---|
| Group Stage | 4 matches against group opponents |
| Qualification Requirement | Top 2 finish to reach Super 8 |
| Super 8 | Another round of group matches |
| Knockouts | Semifinals and Final |
| Tournament Duration | February 7 – March 8 |
Pakistan’s squad needs to be perfectly balanced. You need opening firepower, middle-order stability, death-over hitting, wicket-taking bowlers, and players who can handle pressure situations.
Dropping Haris Rauf suggests the selectors have a specific plan in mind. Whether it’s the right plan remains to be seen.
Who Could Replace Rauf?
If Rauf is out, Pakistan needs quality fast bowling replacements. Here are the likely candidates:
Shaheen Shah Afridi – Already a certainty if fit, Pakistan’s left-arm ace
Naseem Shah – Young, talented, can bowl express pace
Mohammad Amir – The veteran who’s made a comeback
Zaman Khan – Impressive in recent domestic performances
Hasan Ali – Experience in ICC tournaments, death-over specialist
The fast bowling department won’t lack options, but none of these bowlers replicate what Rauf brings—that raw pace and wicket-taking ability in the middle overs.
Australia Series: The Perfect Testing Ground
Before the World Cup madness begins, Pakistan faces Australia in a T20I series. This isn’t just any series—it’s the final dress rehearsal before the big tournament.
Friday’s squad announcement covers both the Australia series and the World Cup, meaning the players selected now get crucial match practice against one of the world’s best teams.
What Pakistan Needs to Test:
- Opening combinations
- Middle-order batting depth
- Death bowling options
- Fielding under pressure
- Captain’s tactical decisions
The Australia series results might not matter as much as the lessons learned. Pakistan needs to identify weaknesses and fix them before February 7.
The Pressure on Selectors
Pakistan cricket selectors face intense scrutiny with every decision. The fan base is passionate, opinionated, and unforgiving when things go wrong. Social media will explode the moment Friday’s squad is announced.
Leaving out Haris Rauf will be questioned relentlessly unless the explanation is crystal clear. Similarly, if Abdul Samad misses out and Pakistan struggles in the middle overs during the World Cup, the selectors will face massive criticism.
But that’s the job. They have to make tough calls based on factors we might not fully understand. Fitness reports, team dynamics, practice performances, and long-term planning all play a role.
Pakistan’s World Cup History: Can 2026 Be Different?
Pakistan won the T20 World Cup in 2009, stunning the world with their unpredictable brilliance. Since then, they’ve come close but haven’t captured that magic again.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Journey:
- 2009 – Champions
- 2010 – Semifinalists
- 2012 – Semifinals
- 2014 – Group stage exit (shock)
- 2016 – Group stage exit
- 2021 – Semifinals (unbeaten until semis)
- 2022 – Runners-up (heartbreaking final loss)
- 2024 – Group stage exit
The pattern shows inconsistency. Pakistan can beat anyone on their day but can also lose to teams they should dominate. The 2026 squad needs players who bring consistency, not just occasional brilliance.
What Fans Are Saying
Social media reactions to the Rauf exclusion rumors have been explosive:
“Dropping Haris Rauf? Have the selectors lost their minds?”
“If Rauf is unfit, fine. But if he’s fit and still dropped, this is criminal.”
“Trust the process. Selectors see things in practice we don’t see on TV.”
“Abdul Samad in reserves is ridiculous. He should be our finisher!”
The debate will only intensify after Friday’s official announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Pakistan announce the T20 World Cup 2026 squad? According to sources, Pakistan will announce both the Australia series squad and the T20 World Cup 2026 squad on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Why is Haris Rauf unlikely to make the squad? Official reasons haven’t been disclosed, but speculation includes fitness concerns, team balance decisions, or recent form issues. The actual reason will hopefully be clarified during Friday’s announcement.
Who is Abdul Samad and why is he in reserves? Abdul Samad is an explosive middle-order batsman known for power-hitting in the IPL and domestic cricket. He’s reportedly being named in the reserves rather than the main 15-man squad, likely due to competition for middle-order spots.
How many players will be in Pakistan’s World Cup squad? Pakistan will announce a 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, along with reserve players who can be called up if injuries occur.
When does Pakistan’s Australia series begin? The exact dates haven’t been confirmed in this report, but the series serves as Pakistan’s final preparation before the T20 World Cup starts on February 7.
Can reserve players be added to the main squad later? Yes, if any player in the main squad suffers an injury or is ruled out for other reasons, reserve players like Abdul Samad can be promoted to the active 15-man roster.
What Happens Next
Friday morning will bring clarity to all these rumors. Pakistan cricket fans worldwide will be glued to their screens, waiting to see if Haris Rauf’s name appears on the squad list or if the unthinkable has actually happened.
The Australia series will test whoever gets selected, and then it’s straight into World Cup mode. Pakistan has the talent to win the tournament, but they need the right squad selection and a bit of luck.
One thing’s certain—tomorrow’s announcement will dominate cricket conversations across Pakistan and beyond. Whether the selectors get praised or roasted depends entirely on what that final squad list looks like.
The countdown to Friday has begun. Pakistan cricket is about to make some huge decisions that could define their World Cup campaign before a single ball is bowled.
