Haris Rauf faces likely omission from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf is expected to miss out on the national squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, sources told Geo News.

Sources said the right-arm pacer is unlikely to be included in the 15-member team for the tournament, which will be held from February 7 to March 8 across India and Sri Lanka.

Rauf last featured for Pakistan in T20 internationals during the Asia Cup 2025 final against India. Sources claimed head coach Mike Hesson is not inclined to pick him following that match, where Rauf conceded heavily and went wicketless.

Rauf is currently playing in Australia’s Big Bash League for the Melbourne Stars. Geo News reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board has been holding consultations for the World Cup squad as well as preparations for an upcoming home T20I series against Australia.

The PCB has already submitted a preliminary list of players to the ICC, but changes can still be made without ICC approval until January 31.

A pool of likely selections mentioned by sources includes captain Salman Ali Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed, with several other pace and batting options also under consideration.

Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, the United States, the Netherlands and Namibia, and are scheduled to play all group matches in Sri Lanka. Their campaign is set to begin against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, followed by fixtures against the USA, India and Namibia.

Group-stage games are slated for Colombo, while later-stage matches are planned in Colombo and Kandy.