Source cricbuzz
LAHORE: In a bold move signaling a generational shift, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed top-order batter Sahibzada Farhan to lead a youthful 15-member squad at the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The men’s T20 cricket tournament, scheduled to run from September 24 to October 3 at the Korogi Athletic Park, could serve as a vital pathway toward qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
A Fresh Look for Pakistan
The national selectors have opted for an experimental, youth-heavy roster, completely omitting established senior stars like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Haris Rauf. Regular white-ball captain Salman Ali Agha has also been left out of the squad following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Farhan, who has featured in 46 T20 Internationals for Pakistan and stands as one of the team’s most reliable top-order options, will be stepping into the leadership role for the very first time at the international level. Destructive power-hitter Abdul Samad has been named his deputy as vice-captain.
Youth and Experience Balanced
While the squad leans heavily toward the future, it is not entirely devoid of recent international exposure. Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed, explosive wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan, and flamboyant opener Saim Ayub have all been included to provide much-needed steel to the lineup.
Concurrently, the selectors have handed opportunities to four uncapped players. Bowlers Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Mohammad Salman Mirza, and all-rounder Saad Masood are all in line to make their official T20I debuts on Japanese soil.
Preparing for Japan
To kickstart their preparations, 14 of the 15 selected players will join the National Cricket Academy’s (NCA) specialized white-ball camp in Lahore. Under the watchful eye of a star-studded coaching staff—led by head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke—the team will look to build chemistry ahead of their flight to Nagoya.
With arch-rivals India reportedly naming a highly experienced squad under Shreyas Iyer for the event, Farhan’s young guns face a trial by fire. However, the tournament presents a golden opportunity for Pakistan’s next generation to stake a permanent claim in the national setup.
Official 15-Member 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)
Support Staff: Mike Hesson (Head Coach), Ashley Noffke (Bowling Coach), Shane McDermott (Fielding Coach).
