Karachi, September 25, 2026: Pakistan’s men’s cricket team have departed for Japan to participate in the 2026 Asian Games, with the squad leaving Jinnah International Airport via Dubai on Thursday.
Sahibzada Farhan will lead Pakistan in the men’s T20 competition, which began on September 24 at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture.
Afghanistan and Malaysia won the opening matches of the 10-team competition, defeating Japan and Hong Kong respectively.
Pakistan have received a direct entry into the quarter-finals and will play their opening match on September 28 against a team emerging from the preliminary round. The quarter-final will be played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
The Pakistan squad completed a four-day training camp in Karachi before departing for Japan. The camp focused on preparations for the tournament and helped the players adapt to the demands of the T20 format.
The 10-team men’s event features automatic qualifiers Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, along with hosts Japan. Nepal, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Oman secured the remaining places through the qualification process.
The medal matches are scheduled for October 3, when the teams will compete for gold, silver and bronze.
Farhan, who has been appointed captain for the Asian Games, will be assisted by Abdul Samad as vice-captain.
The squad includes several young players with international experience as Pakistan target a strong showing in the T20 competition.
Pakistan’s 15-member Asian Games 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 Wasim Jnr, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper).
