Pakistan's Youth at Asian Games: Laying the 2028 Foundation Under Farhan

Pakistan will field a young 15-man squad at the Asian Games 2026 cricket event, captained by Sahibzada Farhan. The T20 tournament runs from 24 September to 3 October at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. As a seeded team, Pakistan enters directly at the quarter-final on 28 September against the Group B runner-up. Here is an analysis of this squad before their medal bid begins.

I have followed Pakistan cricket closely for years, tracking these players through the 2026 T20 World Cup and PSL. From the June selection call to the departure for Japan, I have observed every step. This piece is based on that experience.

Why is this squad different?

Pakistan named a 15-man squad captained by Sahibzada Farhan, with Abdul Samad as vice-captain and Usman Khan as wicketkeeper. The squad includes four uncapped players. Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and current T20I captain Salman Ali Agha have been left out. This is not a routine rest but a deliberate rebuild.

Farhan is Pakistan's most in-form batter right now. At the 2026 T20 World Cup, he scored 383 runs in seven matches at an average of 76.60 and a strike rate of 160.25. He became only the second player after Chris Gayle to score two centuries in a single edition. He broke Virat Kohli's 2026 record of 319 runs. Although Pakistan did not reach the semi-finals, he was named in the ICC Team of the Tournament. At 30, Farhan is the most senior player in this squad. He has nine centuries in T20 cricket, among the most by any active batter. Handing him the captaincy sends a clear message about whom the board sees as the future leader.

Why Babar, Shaheen and Salman are missing

Babar Azam has not played a T20I since December 2026. His 2026 World Cup ended with 91 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 112.34. He remains prolific in franchise cricket—588 runs in ten PSL innings at a strike rate of 146.61—but the selectors are using the Asian Games to test younger options.

Shaheen Afridi is being rested with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind. He is Pakistan's ODI captain and was the second-highest wicket-taker at the 2026 T20 World Cup with eight wickets. Playing a T20 event in Japan carries injury risk and clears space for new pacers to be assessed.

Salman Ali Agha's omission is the most striking, as he is the current T20I captain. Pakistan did not reach the semi-finals of the World Cup under him. Giving the Asian Games captaincy to Farhan signals a possible leadership change, though the board has not announced anything officially.

The four uncapped players

Akif Javed (left-arm pace): a tall quick with franchise experience and two ODIs. Ali Raza (pace): the youngest in the group, a Peshawar Zalmi and Under-19 prospect. Maaz Sadaqat (batting all-rounder): a left-hand batter and left-arm spinner who made his ODI debut in March 2026. Saad Masood (leg-spin all-rounder): has played PSL for two franchises and made his ODI debut in March 2026.

Rebuild or medal?

This Pakistan squad is built for the 2028 T20 World Cup. Leaving out Babar, Shaheen and the current T20I captain together is not just rotation—it is an investment in the future. Head coach Mike Hesson and the selectors want to test young players on a real international stage.

If Farhan leads well, the Asian Games will effectively confirm Pakistan's next white-ball captain before any official announcement. But there is risk: a young side can lose to seeded rivals like India and Bangladesh. The reality is that exposure matters more than the medal.

What to watch

Quarter-final on 28 September, semi-final on 1 October, and medal matches on 3 October, all at Korogi Sports Park, Aichi, Japan.

My prediction: Pakistan will reach at least the semi-finals, but whether they win a medal depends on the young pacers. With 70% confidence, I say this squad will produce at least three players for the 2028 World Cup.

I write this from the Lahore press box, where the sound of rain still echoes. The tape does not argue; it simply waits for you to notice.