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Home / Sports / Cricket / Photos / Pakistan T20I stalwarts who could retire before 2026 World Cup

Pakistan T20I stalwarts who could retire before 2026 World Cup

Updated On: 03 September, 2025 10:39 PM IST | Super Admin

In a bid to revive their T20I legacy, the Pakistan cricket team has embraced a bold and aggressive approach. After finishing as runners-up in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Pakistan failed to qualify for the knockouts in the 2024 edition, prompting a strategic overhaul of the squad and tactics. As the team builds toward the 2026 T20 World Cup, several senior players may find themselves surplus to requirements in the evolving setup, with retirements from the shortest format likely on the horizon (Photos: CricToday/AFP)

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In a bid to revive their T20I legacy, the Pakistan cricket team has embraced a bold and aggressive approach. After finishing as runners-up in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Pakistan failed to qualify for the knockouts in the 2024 edition, prompting a strategic overhaul of the squad and tactics. As the team builds toward the 2026 T20 World Cup, several senior players may find themselves surplus to requirements in the evolving setup, with retirements from the shortest format likely on the horizon (Photos: CricToday/AFP)

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In a bid to revive their T20I legacy, the Pakistan cricket team has embraced a bold and aggressive approach. After finishing as runners-up in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Pakistan failed to qualify for the knockouts in the 2024 edition, prompting a strategic overhaul of the squad and tactics. As the team builds toward the 2026 T20 World Cup, several senior players may find themselves surplus to requirements in the evolving setup, with retirements from the shortest format likely on the horizon (Photos: CricToday/AFP)
<p><strong>Iftikhar Ahmed</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once a key figure in Pakistan&rsquo;s white-ball setup, Iftikhar Ahmed has seen a steep decline in form and opportunity. At nearly 36, the power-hitter struggled in the PSL 2025, scoring just 98 runs at an average of 19.60 and a strike rate of 124.05</span></p>

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Iftikhar Ahmed

Once a key figure in Pakistan’s white-ball setup, Iftikhar Ahmed has seen a steep decline in form and opportunity. At nearly 36, the power-hitter struggled in the PSL 2025, scoring just 98 runs at an average of 19.60 and a strike rate of 124.05

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With Agha Salman and Hasan Nawaz solidifying their spots in the middle order, and Iftikhar now out of the PCB`s central contracts, a return seems improbable. The lack of space in the squad and diminished output may soon prompt his T20I retirement</span></p>

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With Agha Salman and Hasan Nawaz solidifying their spots in the middle order, and Iftikhar now out of the PCB`s central contracts, a return seems improbable. The lack of space in the squad and diminished output may soon prompt his T20I retirement

<p><strong>Shan Masood</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Traditionally an anchor in the top order, Shan Masood&rsquo;s patient style doesn`t align with Pakistan&rsquo;s new attacking blueprint. With the rise of dynamic top-order batters like Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, and the continued presence of Fakhar Zaman, Masood&rsquo;s role appears redundant</span></p>

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Shan Masood

Traditionally an anchor in the top order, Shan Masood’s patient style doesn`t align with Pakistan’s new attacking blueprint. With the rise of dynamic top-order batters like Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, and the continued presence of Fakhar Zaman, Masood’s role appears redundant

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As Pakistan prioritizes explosive starts and fearless hitting, Masood&rsquo;s measured approach may see him phased out of T20Is, potentially nudging him toward retirement from the format</span></p>

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As Pakistan prioritizes explosive starts and fearless hitting, Masood’s measured approach may see him phased out of T20Is, potentially nudging him toward retirement from the format

<p><strong>Mohammad Ali</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mohammad Ali&rsquo;s T20I stint has been underwhelming. Despite a promising PSL campaign, his international performances, including a poor showing in New Zealand (1 wicket, 12.28 economy), haven`t justified selection</span></p>

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Mohammad Ali

Mohammad Ali’s T20I stint has been underwhelming. Despite a promising PSL campaign, his international performances, including a poor showing in New Zealand (1 wicket, 12.28 economy), haven`t justified selection

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In today&rsquo;s high-paced T20 environment, medium pacers like Ali, who depend on seam movement, struggle to stay relevant. With Pakistan favouring high-impact bowlers, his exclusion from future squads seems likely, along with an early exit from T20Is</span></p>

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In today’s high-paced T20 environment, medium pacers like Ali, who depend on seam movement, struggle to stay relevant. With Pakistan favouring high-impact bowlers, his exclusion from future squads seems likely, along with an early exit from T20Is

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