Sahibzada Farhan named captain as Pakistan unveil 15-man squad for the 2026 Asian Games

The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed its squad for the cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games, handing the captaincy to experienced opening batter Sahibzada Farhan. The 15-member group will represent Pakistan at the multi-sport event in Japan later this year.

Hard-hitting batter Abdul Samad has been appointed as Farhan's deputy, completing a leadership pairing that will guide a squad featuring a blend of youth and experience.

The announcement signals an opportunity for several emerging players to make their mark on the international stage, with the team chasing gold in what promises to be a competitive tournament.

Farhan Handed the Leadership

The decision to appoint Sahibzada Farhan as captain rewards a player who has steadily built his reputation in Pakistan cricket.

The opener brings valuable experience to the role, having featured regularly across the shortest format for his country.

His appointment also reflects the selectors' faith in his temperament and ability to lead a relatively youthful group.

A Captain With a Strong Pedigree

At 30 years of age, Farhan arrives at the tournament with a solid body of work behind him.

He has represented Pakistan in 46 Twenty20 Internationals, amassing 1,305 runs that include two centuries and ten half-centuries.

A prolific scorer in domestic cricket and franchise leagues, he is well equipped to lead from the front at the top of the order.

Abdul Samad to Serve as Deputy

The choice of Abdul Samad as vice-captain adds further firepower to the side.

Known for his aggressive stroke play in the middle order, Samad offers the kind of explosive batting that can shift the momentum of a match.

His leadership responsibilities will also be seen as an important step in his development as a senior figure.

Familiar Faces in the Mix

The squad includes several recognisable names from Pakistan's wider Twenty20 pool.

Opener Saim Ayub and wicketkeeper Usman Khan are both part of the group, providing a measure of established quality.

Spin options Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim, along with Mohammad Salman Mirza, add variety to the bowling attack.

Returns and Fresh Blood

There is a notable balance between players returning to the fold and those awaiting their first taste of international cricket.

Haider Ali and Ahmed Daniyal have both earned recalls to the side after spells away.

Meanwhile, four members of the squad, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Masood, are yet to make their Twenty20 International debuts for Pakistan.

Senior Names Left Out

One of the biggest talking points surrounding the announcement is the absence of some of Pakistan's most familiar stars.

Several high-profile names do not feature in this particular squad, with the selection instead leaning towards developing the next wave of talent.

The makeup of the group suggests the event is being viewed as a chance to broaden Pakistan's pool of players ahead of future assignments.

The Full 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
• Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)

The Support Staff

Pakistan have also named a full coaching and support team for the campaign.

Mike Hesson will take charge as head coach, working alongside bowling coach Ashley Noffke and fielding coach Shane McDermott.

Muhammad Tahir has been listed as physiotherapist, with Imran Ullah as trainer and Usman Hashmi as analyst-cum-team operations coordinator.

When and Where

The cricket competition forms part of the wider Asian Games being staged in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The overall event runs from September 19 to October 4, with the cricket action scheduled to begin on September 24.

The medal matches are set to be played on October 3, bringing the tournament towards its climax.

The Teams in the Fray

A total of ten teams will compete for the gold medal in the men's competition.

Hosts Japan qualified automatically, joined by full ICC member nations including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Hong Kong, Nepal, Malaysia and Oman complete the line-up after coming through the qualifying process.

Cricket's Place at the Asian Games

This will mark the fourth occasion on which cricket has featured at the Asian Games, following previous appearances in 2010, 2014 and 2023.

India go into the event as the defending champions, having claimed gold at the most recent edition.

On that occasion, the final was washed out by rain, with the title decided in India's favour on the basis of their superior ranking.

A Chance for the Next Generation

For Pakistan, the tournament represents a valuable opportunity to test their emerging players against quality opposition.

A strong showing could open doors for several members of the squad to push for more regular international selection.

Under Farhan's leadership, the side will be eager to make a lasting impression on the medal stage.

Key Squad Details

• Captain: Sahibzada Farhan
• Vice-Captain: Abdul Samad
• Squad Size: 15 players
• Head Coach: Mike Hesson
• Venue: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
• Cricket Begins: September 24, with medal matches on October 3

Final Word

Pakistan's squad for the 2026 Asian Games reflects a clear desire to combine experience with exciting new talent.

In Sahibzada Farhan, they have a captain capable of setting the tone at the top of the order and guiding a youthful group through a demanding event.

With gold on the line and strong rivals to overcome, all eyes will be on how this Pakistan side performs when the action gets under way in Japan.