Farhan, Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in T20Is since last year, will lead the national side for the first time. The 29-year-old enjoyed a remarkable T20 World Cup 2026, finishing as the tournament’s highest run-getter with 383 runs in six innings at an impressive strike rate of 160.25.
Abdul Samad has been appointed vice-captain of the 15-member squad. Although Samad was not part of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, he recently featured in the ODI series against Australia and brings international experience, having represented Pakistan in six ODIs and five T20Is.
The squad also includes four uncapped T20I players — Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Masood — highlighting the selectors’ focus on giving young talent an opportunity on a major stage.
Usman Khan has been named the primary wicketkeeper in a squad that looks significantly different from the one that represented Pakistan at the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Several senior stars, including regular captain Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan, have been left out of the Asian Games squad.
The selection reflects Pakistan’s intention to build depth and provide emerging players with valuable international exposure. The team will aim to challenge for the gold medal, which was won by India under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy at the previous edition.
Pakistan squad for Asian Games 2026: 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 and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper).
