Pakistan cricket has entered a period of internal review following its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, even as preparations begin for the team’s next international assignment.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met separately with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Salman Ali Agha to assess recent results and discuss upcoming plans for the national side, according to a report by Geo News.
Salman Ali Agha presents World Cup review to PCB leadership
One of the meetings focused on Pakistan’s performance during the T20 World Cup, where the team was eliminated at the Super Eights stage.
Salman Ali Agha briefed the PCB Chairman on the campaign and presented a report outlining the team’s results and overall performance in the tournament. Discussions also covered future planning following the disappointing outcome.
Pakistan began their World Cup campaign with a narrow three-wicket victory over the Netherlands, followed by a victory over the USA, avenging their defeat in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The momentum stalled in the next fixture, where the side suffered a 61-run defeat against India.
The team recovered in the final group-stage match with a commanding 102-run win over Namibia, which helped them advance to the Super Eights stage.
Pakistan’s Super Eights schedule began with a match against New Zealand that was washed out due to weather. The side then lost to England before closing their tournament with a five-run win against Sri Lanka.
Despite that final victory, the results were not enough for Pakistan to progress further in the competition.
Shaheen Afridi outlines Bangladesh ODI strategy
In a separate discussion with the PCB Chairman, ODI Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi reviewed preparations for Pakistan’s next bilateral series.
Pakistan are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh from March 11 to March 15. The meeting examined planning for the series and broader considerations surrounding Pakistan’s ODI setup moving forward.
Afridi is set to continue leading the side in the 50-over format.
New players included in Pakistan’s Bangladesh ODI squad
Ahead of the Bangladesh series, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed a 15-member ODI squad that includes several new players.
The selection introduces six uncapped cricketers as the board continues to expand the player pool in the format.
A number of regular names are absent from the squad, including Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah and Saim Ayub. Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Pakistan’s 15-Member ODI Squad For Bangladesh Series:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain.
