NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appears to have made a U-turn after its chairman Mohsin Naqvi sparked controversy by saying that the Pakistan government would take the final call on whether the national team would participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup, following Bangladesh's removal from the tournament.

A day later, the PCB announced its squad for the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7, effectively confirming Pakistan's participation in the tournament.

Earlier, a PCB source had said there was no reason for Pakistan to boycott the T20 World Cup since the team's matches are scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka. However, Naqvi's recent remarks sparked widespread speculation that the PCB could reconsider its participation in the tournament.

Haris Rauf dropped from Pakistan's 15-member squad

Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the side at the showpiece tournament, while Babar Azam has been included in the squad despite his recent struggles for form.

Haris Rauf has been left out following an underwhelming Asia Cup 2025 campaign, and Mohammad Rizwan remains sidelined after an indifferent stint in the Big Bash League.

Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside co-hosts and defending champions India, the Netherlands, the USA and Namibia.

The former champions will begin their campaign against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7.

Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup group fixtures:

v Netherlands: February 7, Colombo

v USA: February 10, Colombo

v India: February 15, Colombo

v Namibia: February 18, Colombo