Colombo: The Pakistan men’s cricket team landed here on Monday to participate in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India from February 7 to March 8.
The 15-member squad is led by captain Salman Ali Agha and includes star players Babar Azam, Abrar Ahmed, Faqar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Muhammad Nafe, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Shaheen Ayub, Shaheen Ayub, Shaheen Ayub. Usman Tariq.
Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, the team will rest today and tomorrow before a practice match against Ireland on February 4 at the Sinhala Sports Club ground here.
The stadium will also host Pakistan’s group-stage matches against Netherlands on February 7, United States (USA) on February 10 and Namibia on February 18.
Under the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ‘Fusion Formula’, Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka. The arrangement is meant to prevent Pakistan and India from touring each other during world events, preventing both teams from competing at neutral venues.
If Pakistan advance to the semi-finals and final, the knockout matches will be held in Colombo; Otherwise, the semi-final and final will be held in Kolkata and Ahmedabad respectively.
On Sunday, the Pakistan government confirmed that the national men’s team will participate in the T20 World Cup 2026, but will not play their group-stage match against arch-rivals India scheduled for February 15.
The decision is seen as a move to apply financial pressure on the ICC, which Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi last week criticized for “double standards” and acting under the influence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The announcement comes after a crucial meeting between Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Naqvi.
The PCB chief met the Prime Minister last month to discuss Pakistan’s participation in the mega event and said the final decision would be announced between January 30 and February 2.
Pakistan reconsidered its participation in the 20-team tournament after the ICC refused to tour India with Scotland instead of Bangladesh.
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