Pakistan appoints Sahibzada Farhan as Asian Games captain

The Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed Sahibzada Farhan as captain of the national men's cricket team for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, leading a 15-player squad that emphasizes emerging talent. The announcement was made on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

Farhan, a 30-year-old opening batter with 46 T20 International appearances, will captain the side for the first time. His deputy will be Abdul Samad, who has played five T20Is. The squad includes four uncapped players: Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat, and Saad Masood. Usman Khan has been named the primary wicketkeeper.

The selection represents a significant shift from Pakistan's recent World Cup lineup, omitting several senior players including regular captain Salman Ali Agha, former captain Babar Azam, fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, and all-rounder Shadab Khan. Officials stated the focus is on developing new players, with 14 of the 15 selected cricketers scheduled to attend a National Cricket Academy white-ball camp in Lahore from June 15.

The men's T20 cricket tournament at the Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The competition is scheduled to run from September 24 to October 3, with medal matches set for the...