Sahibzada Farhan to captain Pakistan in Asian Games 2026

Sahibzada Farhan, who has been the leading run-getter for Pakistan in T20Is since last year, has been appointed captain of the national team for the Asian Games 2026 campaign. The prestigious continental competition is scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in September-October this year.

Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Masood are four players who have been picked in the 15-man squad who have never played T20I cricket for Pakistan. Meanwhile, Abdul Samad has been named Farhan's deputy.

Farhan was the highest run-getter in the T20 World Cup 2026, amassing 383 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 160.25. He has played 45 T20Is for Pakistan, but will lead the team for the first time during the Asian Games. On the other hand, his deputy, Samad, wasn't a part of the squad that featured in the T20 World Cup. He has played just six ODIs and five T20Is for the Men in Green. The right-handed batter made his last T20I appearance in May 2025. However, he played in the recently-concluded ODI series against Australia.

Usman Khan has been picked as the first-choice wicketkeeper in a squad vastly different from the one they fielded at the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Several experienced players, including regular captain Salman Ali Agha, as well as white-ball stars Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan, among others, have not been included in the side.

It is evident from Pakistan's squad that the selectors have shown faith in the youngsters, giving them a chance to make the nation proud. Last time India won the Gold medal under Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy. It will be interesting to find out how far Pakistan can go this year.

Pakistan squad for Asian Games 2026 Japan: Sahibzada Farhan (C), Abdul Samad (VC), 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 (WK).