ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will launch their men’s cricket campaign at the 2026 Asian Games on September 28, when they face the second-placed team from Group B in the quarter-finals as the competition gets underway in Japan.
The men’s cricket tournament, featuring 10 teams, will begin on September 24, with the gold medal match scheduled for October 3. Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have advanced directly to the quarter-finals as Full Members, while Afghanistan will join Nepal, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman and hosts Japan in the opening round.
Ramping up the preparations for #AsianGames 2026 🎥
Pakistan squad takes part in scenario-based practice in Karachi 🏏#BackTheBoysInGreen | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/j52MTdBBsF
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 23, 2026
Pakistan’s route to the medal rounds
Pakistan have named a 15-member squad for the competition, with Sahibzada Farhan serving as captain and Abdul Samad as vice-captain. The squad also includes Usman Khan, Saim Ayub, Haider Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Akif Javed, Ahmed Daniyal, Salman Mirza, Saad Masood, Sufyan Moqim, Hasan Nawaz, Ali Raza and Maaz Sadaqat.
🚨 PAKISTAN SUPPORT STAFF FOR ASIAN GAMES 2026🚨(Sohail Imran)
Head coach – Mike Hesson.
Bowling coach – Ashley Noffke.
Fielding coach – Mansoor Amjad.
Physiotherapist – M Tahir.
Trainer – Imran ullah.
Analyst & Team operations coordinator – Usman Hashmi.
BEST OF LUCK,… pic.twitter.com/VqBB0mZ6PI
— Rana Ahmad. (@AhmadRana056) September 21, 2026
The opening round has been divided into two groups of three teams each. Group A comprises Afghanistan, Nepal and Japan, while Group B features Hong Kong, Malaysia and Oman.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarter-finals, where they will meet the four Full Members.
Pakistan will play their quarter-final on September 28 at 9am local time against the team finishing second in Group B. India will face Group A’s runners-up later the same day, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will play their quarter-finals on September 29.
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The semi-finals are scheduled for October 1, followed by the bronze-medal match and gold-medal match on October 3.
All matches will be played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, with games scheduled for 9am and 2pm local time.
The competition provides Pakistan with another opportunity to challenge for an Asian Games cricket medal, with the tournament featuring established Full Members alongside leading Associate sides.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket Schedule
Group Stage — September 24 to 26
- September 24: Japan vs Afghanistan — 5am
- September 24: Hong Kong vs Malaysia — 10am
- September 25: Hong Kong vs Oman — 5am
- September 25: Afghanistan vs Nepal — 10am
- September 26: Japan vs Nepal — 5am
- September 26: Malaysia vs Oman — 10am
Quarter-finals
- September 28: Pakistan vs Group B runners-up — 5am
- September 28: India vs Group A runners-up — 10am
- September 29: Sri Lanka vs Group A winners — 5am
- September 29: Bangladesh vs Group B winners — 10am
Medal Stage
- October 1: First semi-final — 5am
- October 1: Second semi-final — 10am
- October 3: Bronze-medal match — 5am
- October 3: Gold-medal match — 10am
All timings are local to Pakistan. Matches will be played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
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Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad (vice-captain), Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Haider Ali, Saim Ayub, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Arafat Minhas, Salman Mirza, Saad Masood, Sufyan Moqim, Hasan Nawaz, Ali Raza and Maaz Sadaqat.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson’s media talk in Karachi | Asian Games 2026#PakistanCricket | #BackTheBoysInGreen | #AsianGames pic.twitter.com/mjNkya3G8g
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 23, 2026
India: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Shivam Dube, Vipraj Nigam, Axar Patel, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Pakistan’s Asian Games Challenge
Pakistan’s direct entry into the quarter-finals means they will have one match fewer than the teams competing in the opening round. Their first opponent will be determined by the Group B standings after Hong Kong, Malaysia and Oman complete their matches.
The tournament will bring together established international sides and emerging Associate teams, with the Asian Games gold medal to be decided on October 3.
