COLOMBO: Pakistan are expected to ring in a few tactical changes in their Playing XI for their crucial Group A encounter against Namibia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Wednesday.
With qualification for the Super Eight stage on the line, team management is weighing conditions and combinations carefully, though sources have dismissed rumours surrounding the exclusion of opener Sahibzada Farhan.
The right-hander is set to retain his place in the XI. However, if Pakistan opt to open with Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, Farhan is likely to slot in at number four.
Conditions at the venue are also expected to influence selection. With a visible grass covering on the pitch, Pakistan are likely to favour pace over spin, which could see fast bowler Salman Mirza replace spinner Abrar Ahmed in the playing XI.
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Meanwhile, young batter Khawaja Mohammad Nafay is tipped to come in for all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.
Pakistan head into the contest under pressure following a heavy defeat to arch-rivals India earlier in the tournament. The 2009 champions currently sit third in Group A with two wins and one loss, holding a net run rate of -0.403.
A victory over Namibia would take Pakistan to six points and secure their passage into the Super Eight stage with a second-place finish in the group.
Likely Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan (wk), Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq.