Babar, Shaheen & Salman Dropped as Pakistan Announce Young Squad for Asian Games 2026
In a major shake-up, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a youthful squad for the 2026 Asian Games, leaving out star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and former T20 captain Salman Ali Agha.
Sahibzada Farhan has been named captain of the 15-member squad, with Abdul Samad as vice-captain. The decision reflects PCB’s trust in emerging talent and a fresh approach for the multi-sport event.
### Asian Games Details
The men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games will be held in Korogi Athletic Park, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, from September 13 to October 4. Ten teams will participate, including full members India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
### Pakistan’s Squad for Asian Games 2026
- Sahibzada Farhan (Captain)
- Abdul Samad (Vice-Captain)
- Usman Khan (Wicketkeeper)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Ahmed Daniyal
- Akif Javed
- Ali Raza
- Arafat Minhas
- Haider Ali
- Hasan Nawaz
- Maaz Sadaqat
- Mohammad Salman Mirza
- Saad Masood
- Saim Ayub
- Sufiyan Muqeem
Notably, four players — Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat, and Saad Masood — are yet to make their T20 International debut.
Fourteen members of the squad will join the National Cricket Academy (NCA) white-ball camp starting June 15 in Lahore.
### Farhan’s Credentials
Sahibzada Farhan earned the captaincy on the back of his explosive T20 record. In 46 T20Is, he has scored 1,305 runs at a strike rate of 137, including a record 383 runs in the 2026 T20 World Cup — the highest by any player in a single edition. He also has 9 T20 centuries to his name.
### Big Names Missing
The exclusion of senior stalwarts Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Salman Ali Agha marks a significant departure. All three were part of Pakistan’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, where Salman led the team.
### Pakistan’s Asian Games History
Pakistan have a strong record in Asian Games cricket:
- Gold Medal in 2010 Guangzhou
- Gold Medal in 2014 Incheon
- Finished 4th in 2022 Hangzhou
With a young and energetic squad, Pakistan will be aiming to reclaim the gold medal in Japan.
This bold selection signals PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s vision of building a future-oriented team by giving opportunities to promising youngsters.
Stay tuned to AAJTAK for more cricket news and updates.
Sahibzada Farhan has been named captain of the 15-member squad, with Abdul Samad as vice-captain. The decision reflects PCB’s trust in emerging talent and a fresh approach for the multi-sport event.
### Asian Games Details
The men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games will be held in Korogi Athletic Park, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, from September 13 to October 4. Ten teams will participate, including full members India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
### Pakistan’s Squad for Asian Games 2026
- Sahibzada Farhan (Captain)
- Abdul Samad (Vice-Captain)
- Usman Khan (Wicketkeeper)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Ahmed Daniyal
- Akif Javed
- Ali Raza
- Arafat Minhas
- Haider Ali
- Hasan Nawaz
- Maaz Sadaqat
- Mohammad Salman Mirza
- Saad Masood
- Saim Ayub
- Sufiyan Muqeem
Notably, four players — Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat, and Saad Masood — are yet to make their T20 International debut.
Fourteen members of the squad will join the National Cricket Academy (NCA) white-ball camp starting June 15 in Lahore.
### Farhan’s Credentials
Sahibzada Farhan earned the captaincy on the back of his explosive T20 record. In 46 T20Is, he has scored 1,305 runs at a strike rate of 137, including a record 383 runs in the 2026 T20 World Cup — the highest by any player in a single edition. He also has 9 T20 centuries to his name.
### Big Names Missing
The exclusion of senior stalwarts Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Salman Ali Agha marks a significant departure. All three were part of Pakistan’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, where Salman led the team.
### Pakistan’s Asian Games History
Pakistan have a strong record in Asian Games cricket:
- Gold Medal in 2010 Guangzhou
- Gold Medal in 2014 Incheon
- Finished 4th in 2022 Hangzhou
With a young and energetic squad, Pakistan will be aiming to reclaim the gold medal in Japan.
This bold selection signals PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s vision of building a future-oriented team by giving opportunities to promising youngsters.
Stay tuned to AAJTAK for more cricket news and updates.
