Pakistan has revealed its 15-player squad for the men’s cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Japan later this year. Sahibzada Farhan will captain the team, with Abdul Samad appointed as vice-captain.
The men’s T20 International competition is set to commence on September 24 in Aichi, with the medal matches slated for October 3. Matches will be held at Kurogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture.
At 30 years old, Farhan brings valuable experience to the squad, having amassed 1,305 runs in 46 T20 Internationals for Pakistan, including two centuries and ten half-centuries. His leadership is expected to guide a team focused on nurturing emerging talent.
In a significant development, Pakistan’s selection strategy mirrors the approach taken during the 2023 Asian Games, prioritizing younger players while resting several senior stars. Notable absences from the squad include established players such as Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan, who remain part of the national team’s broader plans.
The squad also features four players—Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat, and Saad Masood—who are yet to make their T20 International debuts and may earn their first caps during the tournament.
Meanwhile, 14 of the 15 selected players will participate in the National Cricket Academy’s white-ball training camp, commencing in Lahore on June 15, as part of their preparation for upcoming fixtures.
The full Pakistan squad for the 2026 Asian Games includes Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Usman Khan.
Pakistan aims to deliver a strong performance in the T20 event, combining seasoned international players with promising newcomers as cricket makes its return to the Asian Games program.
