KARACHI: Former India fast bowler Irfan Pathan has named Pakistan among the semi-finalists for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
Speaking on a leading Indian sports platform along with former cricketers Robin Uthappa, Cheteshwar Pujara, Mohammad Kaif, Suresh Raina and Sanjay Pankar, Pathan was the only panellist to back Pakistan to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.
Pathan picked Australia, Pakistan, India and England as his top four. Pujara, Kumble and Chopra unanimously picked India, South Africa, England and New Zealand while Uthappa picked India, Australia, England and New Zealand.
Kaif chose India, South Africa, New Zealand and England, Raina chose India, South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka and Banker favored India, Australia, England and New Zealand.
Under the ICC’s ‘Fusion Formula’, Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka as the Pakistan and India teams will not tour each other for ICC events in a given period, but instead compete at neutral venues.
If Pakistan advance to the semi-finals and final, both the knockout matches will be held in Colombo. Otherwise, the semi-final and final will be held in Kolkata and Ahmedabad respectively.
The 2009 champions will open their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, followed by matches against USA on February 10, arch-rivals India on February 15 and Namibia on February 18.
The Super Eight phase is scheduled to be held from February 21 to March 1, with the matches split between Colombo and Kolkata.
The first semi-final will be played on March 3, the second semi-final on March 5 and the final on March 8 in either Ahmedabad or Colombo.
Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup:
Salman Ali Agha (catch), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faqar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafe (week), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shatab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi (Yuk Shah Afridi)
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 Fixtures: