Pakistan will head into the Asian Games men’s cricket competition hoping to break an unwanted sequence after returning empty-handed from each of the three previous editions in which cricket featured.

Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India have shared the three men’s gold medals so far, winning once each, while Pakistan have never reached the podium. That history provides Sahibzada Farhan’s side with both an opportunity and a challenge when they enter the competition directly at the quarter-final stage on 27 September.

Pakistan have selected an interesting blend of youth and experience.

Farhan, one of the country’s most prolific domestic performers, will captain the 15-member squad, with Abdul Samad as his deputy. Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Haider Ali and Hasan Nawaz provide considerable batting firepower, while Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Moqim and Arafat Minhas give Pakistan useful spin options.

There has been one enforced change, with the injured Salman Mirza replaced by Mohammad Wasim Jnr, whose international experience adds another dimension to a pace group also featuring Ali Raza, Ahmed Daniyal and Akif Javed.

One notable omission is Razaullah. The all-rounder was brought into Pakistan’s red-ball plans by interim head coach Mike Hesson but has not been included for the Asian Games despite Hesson’s white-ball role and Razaullah’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball.

Recent results, nevertheless, provide Pakistan with grounds for confidence.

In the 2026 T20I numbers provided, Pakistan have won eight of 12 matches, losing three, with one no-result. Among the five leading Asian sides shown, only India have recorded more victories, although their 18 wins have come from 27 matches. Pakistan’s win-loss ratio of 2.666 is the strongest of the five, ahead of India’s 2.250.

Those numbers will be tested in a tournament where there is little room for recovery. With Pakistan entering at the quarter-final stage, one poor performance could end their medal ambitions immediately.

India represent the most formidable obstacle. Unlike some previous multi-sport events where leading players have been unavailable because of international commitments, India have named a full-strength squad, underlining their determination to defend the title they won in Hangzhou in 2023.

The draw also creates the possibility of an early blockbuster. Should Pakistan and India overcome their respective, lesser-fancied quarter-final opponents, the arch-rivals are likely to meet in the first semi-final on October 1, with a place in the gold-medal match at stake.

For Pakistan, though, the immediate priority will be 27 September.

Pakistan Squad: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad (vice-captain), 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 Usman Khan (wicket-keeper)