KARACHI, Pakistan: Pakistan’s men’s cricket team has departed for Japan to participate in the 2026 Asian Games T20 competition, with the squad leaving Karachi for the tournament on Thursday.
The team travelled from Jinnah International Airport via Dubai after completing a four-day training camp in Karachi, where players focused on preparations for the upcoming matches.
Pakistan cricket squad receives direct quarter-final entry
Pakistan will begin its Asian Games campaign in the quarter-final stage after receiving direct qualification. The team is scheduled to play its opening match on September 28 at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin against a side that qualifies from the preliminary round.
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The men’s T20 competition began on September 24 at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture, with Afghanistan and Malaysia securing victories in the opening matches against Japan and Hong Kong respectively.
Farhan leads Pakistan squad in Japan
Batter Sahibzada Farhan has been named captain of the Pakistan side for the Asian Games, with Abdul Samad appointed as vice-captain.
The squad features a mix of emerging players and cricketers with international experience as Pakistan compete for a place among the top teams in the tournament.
The 15-member squad includes 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 wicketkeeper Usman Khan.
Asian Games cricket competition schedule
The men’s T20 event features 10 teams, including automatic qualifiers Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, along with hosts Japan.
Nepal, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Oman secured their places through the qualification process.
The medal matches are scheduled for October 3, when teams will compete for gold, silver and bronze at the Asian Games cricket tournament.
