Sahibzada Farhan named Pakistan captain for Asian Games 2026 squad announced

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming Asian Games 2026, with experienced opening batter Sahibzada Farhan appointed as captain of the side.

The cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026 will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, featuring 10 teams competing for the gold medal. The matches will begin on September 24, while the medal rounds are scheduled for October 3.

Farhan, 30, brings significant international experience, having played 46 T20 Internationals for Pakistan. He has scored 1,305 runs, including two centuries and 10 half-centuries, and is expected to provide stability at the top of the order in the multi-nation event.

Middle-order batter Abdul Samad has been named vice-captain, marking a leadership pairing that blends experience with aggressive batting strength.

The squad also includes young and dynamic players such as opener Saim Ayub, wicketkeeper Usman Khan, and spinner Abrar Ahmed, along with Salman Mirza.

In a notable selection move, Haider Ali and Ahmed Daniyal have made their return to the national setup, adding depth and versatility to the squad ahead of the tournament.

Four uncapped players have also earned their first call-up to a Pakistan T20 squad: fast bowler Akif Javed, young pacer Ali Raza, promising batter Maaz Sadaqat, and all-rounder Saad Masood.

Their inclusion highlights the PCB’s intent to test emerging talent on a major international stage while maintaining a balanced core of experienced performers.

According to the board, 14 of the 15 selected players are currently part of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) white-ball training camp in Lahore, which begins from June 15, aiming to fine-tune skills and team combinations ahead of the Asian Games.

With a blend of youth, experience, and fresh leadership, Pakistan will be aiming to make a strong push for gold in Japan, as cricket continues to grow its presence in the Asian Games format.

Squad

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, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan (wicket-keeper)

Support staff

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