Who Will Bat at No. 3 for Pakistan Against India in T20 World Cup 2026?

Colombo — February 2026: Pakistan will head into their high-voltage T20 World Cup 2026 match against India on February 15 with growing confidence after back-to-back wins against the Netherlands and the USA.

The much-awaited clash will be played in Colombo, where team combinations and batting order are under close discussion ahead of the crucial encounter.

Openers’ Slots Settled for Pakistan

Pakistan’s opening pair appears settled. Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan have impressed with solid performances in recent matches. Their consistency has strengthened their grip on the opening positions.

As a result, the No. 3 batting spot remained the main question for fans and experts.

Salman Ali Agha Confirmed at No. 3

That debate now seems settled. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has confirmed that he will bat at No. 3 during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The confirmation came last month when the skipper made it clear that he would take responsibility at the crucial position against top teams, including India.

Babar Azam’s Role Adjusted

With Salman Ali Agha moving up the order, Babar Azam is expected to bat at No. 4. He has already played this role recently, including against Australia, where he scored 24 runs off 20 balls.

Team management believes this adjustment provides better balance to the batting lineup.

Aggressive Approach at the Top

Salman Ali Agha has usually batted lower in the top six during his T20 international career. However, his move to No. 3 is aimed at adding intent and aggression in the powerplay and middle overs.

The strategy is expected to help Pakistan maintain momentum against strong bowling attacks.

Government Clears Pakistan vs India Match

On Monday, the federal government directed the Pakistan team to play the scheduled match against India on February 15.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the decision after receiving a briefing from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The briefing covered discussions between the PCB, ICC, and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) regarding the tournament schedule.