Sahibzada Farhan to lead Pakistan In the 2026 Men’s Asian Games in Japan

Rahul Verma · 10/06/2026 · 2 min read

Pakistan Announces Squad for 2026 Men’s Asian Games in Japan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the men’s 2026 Asian Games in Japan, with explosive opener Sahibzada Farhan appointed as captain and Abdul Samad named vice-captain. The tournament is scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4, while the cricket event begins on September 24.

Pakistan’s squad reflects a blend of emerging talent and established T20 performers. The selection includes promising youngsters such as Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Masood, all of whom are yet to make their T20 International debuts. Their inclusion underlines the PCB’s focus on developing the next generation of players through major multi-sport events.

Farhan’s appointment rewards his consistent performances in domestic and franchise cricket. The right-handed batter has already represented Pakistan in 46 T20Is and brings valuable experience to a youthful squad.

The squad also features notable names such as Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Hasan Nawaz and wicketkeeper Usman Khan. Interestingly, several senior stars, including regular white-ball captain Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, have not been included, indicating Pakistan’s intent to test bench strength while remaining competitive for a medal.

Pakistan 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)

READ: Shreyas Iyer emerges as favourite to become India's new T20I captain: Reports

Rahul Verma

Rahul Verma is a senior cricket correspondent for NDTV Sports, recognised for bringing broadcast‑style clarity and data‑enriched narratives to digital sports journalism. A proud graduate of Hansraj College, University of Delhi, he started his career in radio commentary before moving into newsroom reporting. Rahul’s ability to decode complex match situations with the precision of an analyst and the flair of a storyteller has made him a trusted voice for millions of NDTV viewers and readers. He covers the Indian team across all formats and is a constant presence during the IPL, where he combines ball‑by‑ball coverage with behind‑the‑scenes insights on team strategies. His reporting also shines a light on the thriving grassroots cricket scene in North India, unearthing talent from school tournaments to state‑level age‑group cricket. A recipient of the Exchange4media Broadcasting Award and a RedInk prize, Rahul believes the best cricket stories are told with equal parts data, drama, and heart.