Sahibzada Farhan to captain Pakistan at 2026 Asian Games

LAHORE: Pakistan have announced a 15-member squad for the men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games, with Sahibzada Farhan set to lead the side in Japan later this year.

The men’s T20 International tournament will begin on September 24 in Aichi, with the medal matches scheduled to take place on October 3. Cricket will be played at Kurogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture.

Thirty-year-old Farhan has been appointed captain, while Abdul Samad will serve as vice-captain.

Farhan brings significant experience to the squad, having scored 1,305 runs in 46 T20 Internationals for Pakistan. His tally includes two centuries and 10 half-centuries.

The squad reflects Pakistan’s decision to prioritise emerging talent at the Asian Games, a strategy similar to the one adopted for the 2023 edition of the tournament. According to Pakistan Cricket Board sources, several senior players have been rested while remaining part of the national team’s long-term plans.

As a result, established names including Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan have not been included in the squad.

Four players in line for T20I debuts

The squad also includes several emerging players who are yet to represent Pakistan at T20 International level.

Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Masood are all awaiting their first appearances in the format and could make their international debuts during the tournament.

Meanwhile, 14 of the 15 selected players will also participate in the National Cricket Academy’s white-ball camp, which begins in Lahore on June 15 as preparations continue for upcoming assignments.

Pakistan squad for Asian Games 2026

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 will be aiming for a strong showing in the T20 event as cricket returns to the Asian Games programme, with a squad that combines international experience and emerging talent.