Pakistan have included Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah in their 15-man squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, making significant changes from the group that was picked for the Asia Cup last year.

While the squad has been announced, Pakistan's participation in ICC event remains a function of government approval, like Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman had indicated earlier.

"We are selectors, and our job is to pick the team. We've announced the team very close to the deadline. The government will decide on our participation so I can say nothing on that front. That's what the chairman has said, too, so we'll wait for their decision," head coach Aaqib Javed said in a press conference.

Fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jnr have been left out, along with Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris and Sufiyan Muqeem.

Salman Ali Agha continues as captain after leading the side in the Asia Cup, while several players from that squad, including Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub and Shaheen Shah Afridi have retained their places.

Even though Babar makes it back into the T20 fold, Mohammad Rizwan, who was not part of the Asia Cup squad either, does not feature in the World Cup squad.

Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Tariq have received their maiden mega-event call-ups to the Pakistan squad.

Pakistan open their campaign against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7 and will play a three-match home T20I series against Australia as part of their build-up.