Pakistan face major scare ahead of T20 World Cup 2026; Star player injured

Pakistan could be staring at a major setback ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 as uncertainty grows over a star cricketer’s availability. Full details inside.

Pakistan (Image Credit: ACC)

Pakistan Cricket team suffers massive blow as star bowler Shaheen Afridi sustained an injury during his stint in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025 and is unlikely to play in the T20 World Cup 2026. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called back the player from Australia for treatment and rehabilitation.

Shaheen, whose first campaign in the BBL didn't go well, sustained a knee injury. With the World Cup coming up in two months, the board is concerned about his recovery and performance for the marquee event. He is one of the best bowlers in the team, providing the breakthroughs in the powerplays as well as in the death overs.

The bowler's maiden BBL stint didn't go as expected since he could manage to take just two wickets in four games at an average of 76.50. His economy rate was 11.19, which is pretty high for a T20 game.

Shaheen will have to go through a process of recovery and then get the medical clearance in order to participate in the T20 World Cup. The board will hope that the process gets faster so that Shaheen will be able to participate in the ICC event.

Pakistan announce squad for Sri Lanka series

Pakistan have announced the squad for the upcoming 3-match ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting on January 7. Star players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan are set to miss the series since they are participating in the BBL 2025. Now that Shaheen is injured, he will miss the T20 league as well as the upcoming series. Salman Ali Agha is set to lead the team for the series.

Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq

Where to watch T20 World Cup 2026 matches?

Cricket fans in India can watch the T20 World Cup 2026 matches from February 7 online on JioHotstar, via OTTplay Premium.

Also read: Former India bowler blames Test series loss against SA on Kohli-Rohit transition, makes eye-opening claim

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