Pakistan has unveiled its squad for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 cricket tournament.
Sahibzada Farhan has been named captain of the national side, while Abdul Samad will serve as vice-captain for the T20 International competition in Japan.
The men’s T20 cricket event at the Asian Games 2026 will take place in Japan, with matches scheduled at Kurogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture.
The tournament is set to begin on September 24, while the overall Asian Games will run from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
The medal matches for the cricket event will be played on October 3.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has selected a 15-member squad for the tournament, featuring a mix of experienced players and emerging talent.
Full squad (Alphabetical Order)
Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufyan Muqeem, and Usman Khan (wicket-keeper).
Among them, several players are yet to make their T20 International debut, including Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat, and Saad Masood, who will be looking to earn their first international caps during the tournament.
Captaincy and player experience
Sahibzada Farhan brings significant experience to the leadership role, having represented Pakistan in 46 T20Is, scoring 1,305 runs, including two centuries and 10 half-centuries.
Abdul Samad, who has played five T20 Internationals, has been named vice-captain for the squad.
The selection reflects a balance between experienced international players and rising domestic performers.
Ahead of the tournament, 14 players from the squad will participate in a training camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, starting from June 15.
The camp is part of Pakistan’s preparation for the high-profile multi-nation event in Japan.
Support staff announced
Pakistan’s support staff for the Asian Games 2026 includes:
- Mike Hesson (Head Coach)
- Ashley Noffke (Bowling Coach)
- Shane McDermott (Fielding Coach)
- Muhammad Tahir (Physiotherapist)
- Imran Ullah (Trainer)
- Usman Hashmi (Analyst-cum-Team Operations Coordinator)
