Power & Passion: 5 Pakistan Stars to Watch at the 2026 T20 World Cup

However, with the likes of India, England, Australia and South Africa all vying for position, this will likely be one of the most competitive World Cups in recent memory. Pakistan will have to be incredibly consistent with bat and ball to contest, making their more experienced players vital. 

Tasked with the difficult job of leading this side, Salman is the glue in the middle order. In betting terms, he is the safest bet for Top Match Batter in low-scoring, grinding chases. His ability to navigate spin in Colombo makes him the stabiliser for a volatile lineup.

When it comes to batter milestones, Ali Agha would be the pick of many as his consistency makes him a real issue for opposition bowlers. Of course, it is always worth noting that T20 matches move quickly. Ali Agha could come in a few wickets down with few runs on the board, and the next game he could only have a few deliveries after the rest of the order fires. 

With an impressive average of 30.50 in 2025 in the T20 game, Ali Agha will likely be the man his side look to lean on. 

The first over king remains one of the most dangerous bowlers in the world during the Power Play. We recommend that you keep an eye on the Wicket in First Over market. If the humidity is high in Colombo, Shaheen’s late inswing becomes almost unplayable.

He can at times be wayward with his line though, and this becomes doubly true if the opposition is on top. Of course, this is true of many T20 bowlers, especially if the game plan becomes wide bowling in an attempt to squeeze the opposition batters. 

On the slower tracks in Sri Lanka, he may see his wicket-taking exploits curtailed somewhat. However, when he is on form, wickets tumble. 

The inclusion of Usman Tariq is the squad's biggest potential x-factor pull.  As a mystery spinner on Sri Lankan tracks that offer grip and turn, he is a prime candidate for Leading Wicket Taker in the group stages.

His unorthodox action often leaves Associate nations—and even top-tier batters—guessing for the first few overs. Remember, less experienced bowlers can often fall apart on the biggest stage. If the opposition get on top of his bowling, he may go for a few, and it will then be vital that he bounces back quickly and remains a threat. 

If he can get into a rhythm when bowling, he will be a threat. 

The poster boy for aggression at the top of the order. Saim Ayub represents the high-risk, high-reward strategy. He will likely play a big part in the Most Sixes markets. While his stay at the crease might be brief, his strike rate may be the engine that determines if Pakistan reach a par score.

Indeed, his historic strike rate of 132.97 shows that he looks to go after the bowlers. The worry will be that his average in 2026 has stayed below 20.00, which is an area the opposition will look to exploit. 

Returning to the squad with a point to prove after a stint in the BBL, Babar remains a class act. While critics point to his strike rate, on the tired, turning pitches of a month-long tournament, his technical proficiency makes him an interesting pick for Tournament Top Run Scorer.

The main focus for Azam will be on blocking out the noise across the tournament. If he can get in and play his game, then the runs will come. Whether he can provide the quick-scoring presence that Pakistan require remains to be seen. With over 4000 runs in the bank in international T20 cricket, Azam will be keen to edge towards the 5000 run mark this year.