Haris Rauf might be excluded from team for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

LAHORE: The sources reported on Tuesday that Haris Rauf, who is a fast bowler, will mostly be excluded from Pakistan’s team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The last T20I that Haris Rauf played for Pakistan was in the Asia Cup 2025 final against India, and now he is not going to be part of the 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

As per the sources, head coach Mike Hesson has rejected Rauf’s selection owing to his Asia Cup final performance in September 2025. He delivered 3.4 overs, and the right-arm pacer got no wickets while giving away 50 runs.

India chased down Pakistan’s total of 147 runs with 19.4 overs and five wickets in hand, thus winning the final and the title. Although Rauf has 133 wickets in 94 matches and is the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in T20 internationals, he is not in the home series against Australia and is currently participating in the Big Bash League in Australia, representing Melbourne Stars.

Last week, it was reported that Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad and the home T20I series against Australia were among the discussions that were still ongoing. The Pakistan Cricket Board has already submitted a provisional player list to the International Cricket Council for the tournament.

Nonetheless, the list can still be altered without ICC’s approval until January 31. Sources say the probable players’ names are Captain Salman Ali Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Khan, and Abrar Ahmed.

Apart from these players, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, and Khawaja Nafay have also been considered for selection. Meanwhile, Abdul Samad, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Usman Tariq are expected to be named as reserve players.