The announcement of Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 triggered immediate debate, with one question dominating discussions: Why Mohammad Rizwan is not playing T20 World Cup 2026. While he was out of the T20I setup for a while, it was expected that he might return alongside Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi for the marquee tournament.
Despite being one of Pakistan’s most experienced T20 batters and a former captain, Rizwan was left out, while Babar Azam retained his place in the 15-man squad. Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, and the team management has made it clear that conditions and role clarity heavily influenced their decisions. With Pakistan already under pressure in Group A, Rizwan’s absence further complicates their Pakistan Super 8 chances at T20 World Cup 2026, especially given the tight qualification equation following the IND vs PAK boycott.
Rizwan is one of the most prominent absentees in T20 World Cup 2026. Although why is Andre Russell not playing and Nicholas Pooran retirement is also being discussed, Rizwan’s absence is owing to very different reasons.
Why Mohammad Rizwan Was Dropped From Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
The decision has surprised many, but the selectors believe it aligns with the direction Pakistan want to take in T20 cricket. The Mohammad Rizwan Dropped From T20 World Cup call is rooted in role-based selection rather than reputation. Pakistan’s think tank felt that Rizwan’s skill set no longer fits the tactical demands they want to prioritise in this format.
This has led to repeated questions such as why Rizwan not in Pakistan T20 World Cup squad and why Pakistan dropped Rizwan, especially given his past success in ICC tournaments.
What Pakistan’s Head Coach Said About Rizwan’s Omission
Head coach Mike Hesson provided a clear explanation for the Rizwan T20 World Cup 2026 omission. He stressed that Pakistan were not looking for a top-order wicketkeeper-batter but someone who could operate through the middle overs and finish innings.
“The role we have for our keeper is someone through the middle, batting at five or six. You are not comparing the same, as Rizwan is a top-order batter. There’s no spot in that role for a wicketkeeper,” the head coach Mike Hessons said, explaining why Mohammad Rizwan was dropped.
“Being honest about your assessment of players is pretty important,” Hesson had previously said before the Asia Cup 2025 when talking of Rizwan and Babar. “Coming from a place where you have no agenda is also very important. Looking at things objectively is important. I haven’t talked about anyone’s frailties.
Rizwan has built his T20I career as a top-order anchor. The management felt there was no suitable role for him in the current combination, particularly with the team aiming for more power and flexibility in the middle order rather than accumulation at the top.
Rizwan BBL Performance Did Not Help
One of the key statistical concerns behind why Mohammad Rizwan Dropped From T20 World Cup 2026 has been output rather than consistency. While Rizwan scored runs in 2024, his Mohammad Rizwan strike rate T20 stood at 117.3, a number Pakistan consider below modern T20 requirements.
Mohammad Rizwan – T20 Performance Summary Since 2025
| League | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 6s | 50+ Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBL | 10 | 187 | 18.70 | 102.74 | 2 | 0 |
| CPL | 6 | 227 | 56.75 | 127.52 | 10 | 2 |
| PSL | 10 | 367 | 52.42 | 139.54 | 12 | 2 |
His struggles were also evident in franchise cricket. Rizwan’s BBL performance with the Melbourne Renegades failed to revive his World Cup hopes, as he managed only 187 runs across 10 matches at a strike rate of 102.74. This followed a difficult 2024 T20 World Cup where he scored 110 runs in four games at under a run a ball.
For context, Rizwan last T20I match for Pakistan came in December 2024, after which he gradually slipped out of the team’s plans.
Who Is Pakistan’s Wicketkeeper for T20 World Cup 2026?
With Rizwan omitted, fans have been keen to know who is Pakistan wicketkeeper in T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan have named Usman Khan and Khawaja Nafay as their wicketkeeping options for the tournament.
Both selections reflect the team’s shift in thinking around the Pakistan wicketkeeper T20 World Cup 2026 role. Rather than a top-order presence, Pakistan want their keeper to bat at No.5 or No.6 and provide late-innings acceleration.
“Usman Khan has been exceptional since he came back. He has shown experience. His wicketkeeping is going probably better than expected. In Sri Lanka, it was high quality,” Hesson said, explaining why Usman Khan was picked ahead of Mohammad Rizwan.
Usman Khan’s improved glovework and ability to score quickly in the middle overs played a big role, while Khawaja Nafay’s inclusion offers additional flexibility. The management believe this combination suits Sri Lankan conditions better than a traditional opener-keeper.
Why Babar Azam Was Picked but Rizwan Was Not
The contrast between Rizwan’s omission and Babar’s inclusion has added fuel to the debate. While both are associated with a more measured approach, Pakistan see different roles for them. Babar is viewed as someone who can control the middle overs, rotate strike, and manage chases when required.
This distinction explains why Babar is in Pakistan squad T20 World Cup 2026 despite a poor BBL, while Rizwan has been left out. The selectors believe Babar’s experience and adaptability outweigh recent form concerns, whereas Rizwan’s role overlaps with areas Pakistan are trying to move away from.
How Mohammad Rizwan Went From Pakistan Captain to Losing His Place in the T20 Squad
Mohammad Rizwan’s fall from leadership to exclusion has been swift and revealing of Pakistan’s shifting priorities in white-ball cricket. After taking over as white-ball captain in October 2024, Rizwan initially delivered results, guiding Pakistan to rare away series wins in Australia and South Africa. However, cracks began to appear in the T20 format soon after. Pakistan failed to win a single T20I on the Australia tour and followed it up with another winless run against South Africa, with concerns growing around Rizwan’s strike rate and suitability for the evolving demands of T20 cricket.
By March 2025, both Rizwan and Babar Azam were dropped from the T20I setup altogether, as selectors opted to reset the format with a more aggressive approach and handed the captaincy to Salman Ali Agha.
Rizwan briefly continued as ODI captain, but a poor 2025, capped by a 0-3 series defeat in the West Indies, led to his removal from that role as well in October. Within a year, Rizwan went from being Pakistan’s all-format white-ball leader to being completely out of the T20 picture — a timeline that underlines how quickly roles and relevance can change in Pakistan cricket.
Why Mohammad Rizwan Dropped From T20 World Cup 2026 Could Shape His Future
The bigger question after the tournament is why Mohammad Rizwan dropped From T20 World Cup 2026 becomes a one-off explanation or the start of a longer shift. At 33, Rizwan is not out of contention entirely, but a return will likely depend on adapting his game to meet Pakistan’s evolving T20 requirements, particularly strike rate and role flexibility.
For now, Pakistan have made a clear statement about the direction they want to take in the shortest format, even if it means leaving out one of their most reliable performers of the past decade.
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