Pakistan Announces Squad For Asian Games 2026 Sahibzada Farhan To Lead

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially unveiled its 15 member men's cricket squad for the upcoming Asian Games 2026. This major sporting event is scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where Pakistan aims to secure the gold medal. The selection committee has placed its trust in the 30 year old seasoned batter Sahibzada Farhan, appointing him as the captain of the national side. Supporting him in leadership duties will be Abdul Samad, who has been named the vice captain for this high stakes tournament.

Leadership and Player Statistics

Sahibzada Farhan brings a wealth of experience to the squad, having represented Pakistan in 46 T20 International matches to date. Throughout his international career, he has accumulated a total of 1305 runs. His batting record is highlighted by 2 centuries and 10 half centuries, making him a formidable force at the top of the order. His appointment as captain comes on the back of consistent performances in domestic cricket and various T20 leagues. On the other hand, vice captain Abdul Samad has featured in 5 T20 International matches for Pakistan and is expected to play a crucial role in the team's middle order and leadership group.

Fresh Faces and Squad Composition

The PCB has opted for a strategic blend of experienced campaigners and promising young talent. The 15 member squad includes several players who are yet to make their T20 International debut for Pakistan. These new faces include Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat, and Saad Masood. Their inclusion reflects the board's vision to build a strong pool of players for the future while maintaining competitiveness for the Asian Games, while out of the 15 selected players, 14 will be part of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) white ball camp, which is set to commence in Lahore on June 15.

Tournament Schedule and Venue Details

The Asian Games 2026 will be held from September 19 to October 4 in Japan. The men's cricket competition will be played in the T20 format, featuring a total of 10 participating teams. All cricket matches are scheduled to be held at the Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture. The cricket event is slated to begin on September 24, with the highly anticipated medal matches taking place on October 3. Pakistan is expected to face a stiff challenge from the Indian team, which has already announced its squad under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer.

Complete 15 Member Pakistan Squad

The full squad for the Asian Games 2026 includes: 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, Sufiyan Moqim, and Usman Khan (Wicketkeeper). This balanced unit will look to dominate the competition and bring home the gold medal for Pakistan in the T20 format.