Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign is set to begin with tough decisions looming, as captain Salman Ali Agha has indicated a willingness to drop even seasoned players like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman if they don't fit the team's strategy or meet fitness standards. With the opening match against the Netherlands fast approaching, Agha's comments highlight the team management's focus on fielding the most balanced and effective XI for the tournament.
Addressing the media ahead of the World Cup opener, Agha emphasized that selections would be based purely on merit and the team's needs. "We have brought 15 players here who form the best possible combination, and we will try to play exactly that," he stated. "If any senior player, including Babar or Fakhar, isn't fit, we won't play them. We will choose what is best for the team".
Agha acknowledged Azam and Zaman's contributions to Pakistan cricket but reiterated the importance of current form and fitness. "Fakhar has performed a lot for Pakistan over the past 10 years, and Babar has done the same. We fully support them, but we will select the XI that gives us the best chance to win," he added.
This statement comes in the wake of Pakistan's recent T20 series victory against Australia, where Agha lauded the team's performance across all departments. However, the captain is aware that the World Cup presents a different challenge, requiring strategic decisions that might include benching experienced players for the sake of team balance.
The captain also addressed concerns about distractions and off-field issues, urging the media to focus on cricket-related matters. He showed confidence in Usman Tariq, emphasizing that the bowler has been cleared twice and should be an X-factor for the team.
Agha has also expressed his views on the team's mindset and preparation, stating that the team is not focusing on things that they cannot control and is determined to put the dissapointment of losing to USA in the last world cup behind them. "We will try to play good cricket and hopefully we will see a good contest against the other teams. No team is small in the World Cup, and we are preparing well for the match against the Netherlands," Salman Agha said. Reflecting on Pakistan's recent form, Agha expressed optimism about the team's preparation and performance, highlighting the progress made over the past six months and since the Asia Cup.
Agha's candidness about potentially dropping Babar Azam or Fakhar Zaman underscores the seriousness with which Pakistan is approaching the T20 World Cup 2026. While such decisions are always difficult, they reflect a commitment to putting the team first and maximizing the chances of success in the tournament. The captain's message is clear: past reputation counts for little if a player is not in peak form or doesn't fit the game plan.