🚨 Which 3 Pakistan Players Could Be Dropped from T20 WC?

As the T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, Pakistan’s provisional squad is still being closely scrutinized. While several teams have already revealed their final lineups, Pakistan’s 16-member provisional squad is still a work in progress.

With just a few T20Is left before the World Cup, three players are facing the prospect of being dropped from the final squad due to their poor performances and underwhelming form.

In this analysis, we’ll take a deep dive into Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman, and Babar Azam, who could potentially miss out on the opportunity to represent Pakistan at the biggest T20 tournament of the year.

Haris Rauf: Declining Economy and Poor Performances

Haris Rauf, once a standout figure for Pakistan in the T20 format, is now facing doubts about his place in the squad. His poor economy rate in recent T20Is, including during key matches like the Asia Cup 2025, has raised red flags.

Despite being a key player in previous campaigns, Rauf’s inability to deliver consistently has led many to question his place in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad.

Haris Rauf BBL Performance

In the BBL 2025, Rauf’s performances were also underwhelming, as his economy rate struggled to stay under control.

Haris Rauf BBL 2025 Stats:
- Matches: 10
- Wickets: 15
- Economy Rate: 9.50
- Key Issue: Leaked runs in crucial overs, especially in high-pressure moments.

With players like Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Salman Mirza available, Pakistan might opt to replace Rauf with a more consistent performer for the T20 World Cup 2026.

Fakhar Zaman: Poor Form and Strike Rate Concerns

Fakhar Zaman’s 2025 form has been far from impressive, which puts his World Cup spot in jeopardy. Despite his natural ability, Fakhar has struggled with poor strike rates and inconsistent batting performances in T20Is and franchise leagues.

Fakhar Zaman T20I Stats (2025):
- Matches: 22
- Runs: 512
- Strike Rate: 127.68
- Performance in ILT20: 260 runs in 12 matches with a strike rate of 124.40.

Fakhar has also been moved down the order in recent matches to accommodate other top-order batters, showing that Pakistan has a plethora of options in the top and middle order. Players like Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan could be better suited for the opening role, pushing Fakhar out of the squad.

Babar Azam: Struggling to Keep Up with the Modern T20 Game

Even though Babar Azam remains one of Pakistan’s best batsmen, his slow strike rate in T20s has led to serious concerns. His inability to accelerate, especially in critical moments of the game, has hurt Pakistan, as shown by his poor strike rate during recent T20I series and the BBL 2025.

Babar Azam BBL Performance

In BBL 2025, Babar faced challenges in adapting to the fast-paced T20 game, posting low strike rates even in favorable conditions.

Babar Azam BBL 2025 Stats:
- Matches: 8
- Runs: 206
- Strike Rate: 117-112
- Key Issue: Slow start in the innings and failure to up the tempo.

If Pakistan looks to play a more aggressive brand of cricket, they could turn to Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, or Shan Masood as potential replacements for Babar.

Can These 3 Pakistan Players Be Replaced?

As the team is finalizing its World Cup squad, Pakistan has multiple options to replace these underperforming players. Here are a few potential replacements who could offer greater consistency and aggression:

Haris Rauf: Could be replaced by Hasan Ali or Shahnawaz Dahani, both of whom have shown more control and consistency in recent matches.
Fakhar Zaman: The aggressive Saim Ayub or Sahibzada Farhan could slot in as the opener, offering better strike rates and higher run-scoring potential.
Babar Azam: Mohammad Rizwan or even Shan Masood could be more suitable for the role, given their ability to accelerate the innings.

Q1. Why could Haris Rauf be dropped from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad? A: Haris Rauf’s rising economy rate and poor recent performances put his place in the T20 World Cup squad at risk.

Q2. Is Fakhar Zaman’s form a concern for the T20 World Cup? A: Yes, Fakhar Zaman’s low strike rate and inconsistency make his inclusion in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad uncertain.

Q3. Does Babar Azam’s BBL performance affect his T20 World Cup chances? A: Babar Azam’s slow strike rate in the BBL 2025 raises concerns about his spot in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad.

CricketNews Editorial Team

Khelo Pakistan expert cricket journalists covering international cricket, PSL, IPL, and major tournaments. Follow us on Facebook for the latest cricket news and updates.

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