Pakistan Asian Games Squad Announced: Babar Azam, Shahzaib Khan, Salman Ali Aga Excluded, Sahibzada Farhan Appointed Captain The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the 15-member squad for the 2026 Asian Games, with young talent taking center stage. The team, set to compete in the men’s cricket tournament from September 13 to October 4, 2026, at the Koryo Athletic Park in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, will be captained by Sahibzada Farhan. This marks a significant shift from previous selections, as senior players like Babar Azam, Shahzaib Khan, and Salman Ali Aga have been omitted from the squad. The decision to exclude these established names has sparked discussions, with selectors emphasizing a focus on youth and emerging talent. Farhan, who previously captained Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026, will lead the team, while Abdul Samad has been named vice-captain. The squad includes four uncapped players—Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maj Sadat, and Saad Masood—who will compete in their first international T20 matches. These players will join the team for the National Cricket Academy (NCA) white-ball camp starting June 15 in Lahore, providing them with crucial preparation for the Games. The absence of Babar Azam, Shahzaib Khan, and Salman Ali Aga is notable, as all three were key figures in Pakistan’s recent T20 World Cup campaign. Babar, a former captain, and Shahzaib, a fast bowler, had been instrumental in the 2026 World Cup, but their exclusion from the Asian Games squad suggests a strategic move to prioritize younger players. Salman Ali Aga, who previously led the T20 team, was also left out, despite his experience in the format. Farhan’s appointment as captain is a testament to his performance in T20 cricket.#pakistan_cricket_board #sahibzada_farhan #2026_asian_games #abdul_samad #koryo_athletic_park
