The Pakistan vs USA T20 World Cup 2026 Playing 11 will be under intense scrutiny as the “Men in Green” look to avenge their 2024 Super Over defeat. In this crucial Group A clash at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo, Pakistan’s new captain Salman Ali Agha faces a major selection headache. With former captain Babar Azam under fire for his strike rate and Usman Khan coming off a duck, the management is reportedly considering blooding young talent to modernize their approach. Meanwhile, the USA arrives with a massive narrative shift: former Pakistani pacer Ehsan Adil has joined their squad as an injury replacement, potentially making a blockbuster debut against his birth nation.
Predicted Playing 11 (Probable XIs)
Pakistan
Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan/Khwaja Nafay (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.
USA
Andries Gous (WK), Monank Patel (C), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ali Khan/Ehsan Adil, Saurabh Netravalkar.
Match Preview: The SSC Spin Web Awaits
Pakistan enters this contest with a narrow opening-day win over the Netherlands, but the “USA ghost” still looms. The Pakistan vs USA T20 World Cup 2026 Playing 11 reflects a tactical pivot toward spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka. Pakistan is expected to lean heavily on Abrar Ahmed’s mystery spin, while the USA will rely on the discipline of Saurabh Netravalkar. With Pakistan’s government finally clearing them for the India blockbuster on Sunday, this match serves as the ultimate litmus test for their middle-order stability and tactical discipline.
Some Key Questions?
Will Khwaja Nafay replace Usman Khan in the Pakistan vs USA match?
Rumors from the Colombo camp suggest that the high-striking Khwaja Nafay is breathing down Usman Khan’s neck. Nafay, who boasts a strike rate of nearly 180, is seen as the “modernizing force” Pakistan needs to balance Babar Azam’s anchor role. Given the slow nature of the SSC pitch, having a batter who can clear the ropes without needing 10 balls to settle could be the difference-maker against the USA’s nagging line and length.
Colombo's Red-Soil Turn
The SSC surface for this clash is expected to be “tacky.” Early moisture will help Shaheen Afridi, but as the afternoon heat (31°C) dries the square, the ball will begin to grip.
Toss Strategy: Bat first. 60% of matches at SSC in 2026 have been won by the team setting a target.
Key Stat: Pakistan’s spinners have an average of 18.4 at this venue compared to their seamers’ 26.1.
The Ehsan Adil Story
The USA’s new recruit, Ehsan Adil, was actually a part of Pakistan’s 2015 World Cup squad. If he debuts today, he becomes one of the few players in history to represent two different nations across World Cups. Our scouts suggest Adil has been specifically practicing “in-swinging cutters” to target Saim Ayub’s leg-side vulnerability—a tactical detail that could catch the Pakistani top-order off guard.
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