The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that opening batter Sahibzada Farhan will captain the Pakistan men's squad for the Twenty20 competition at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. The announcement was made on Wednesday, with the tournament scheduled to take place from September 24 in Aichi-Nagoya.
Asian Games Overview
The Asian Games, the largest multi-sport event in Asia, are held every four years, similar to the Olympic Games. This year's edition will feature over 40 sports, bringing together athletes from across the continent. The cricket competition is set to be a key highlight.
PCB Statement
“Sahibzada Farhan will lead the Pakistan Men’s Team in the Asian Games 2026, set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan from 19 September to 4 October,” the PCB said in a statement. Farhan has represented Pakistan in 46 T20Is, scoring 1,305 runs, including two centuries and ten half-centuries.
Vice-Captain and Squad
Abdul Samad, who has played in five T20Is, has been appointed vice-captain. The 15-member squad includes four uncapped players: Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat, and Saad Masood, who are yet to make their T20I debuts for Pakistan.
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 (wicket-keeper)
Pakistan traditionally competes in sports such as cricket, hockey, squash, athletics, wrestling, boxing, shooting, and kabaddi at the Asian Games, and the cricket team is expected to put up a strong performance under Farhan's leadership.
