Pakistan are one of the ten sides set to take part in the Asian Games this year. Besides them, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka secured automatic qualification by virtue of their Full Member nations status from Asia. Additionally, Japan, as hosts, along with Nepal, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Oman, who booked their berths via qualifiers,, will take part in the competition.
Pakistan to follow India’s suit
With the Asian Games set to take place in September-October, there are reports that Pakistan might name their full-strength squad. This will be a shift from the previous edition in the 2022 Asian Games, where Pakistan, like most full-member nations, played a younger team.
Previously, India also named a full-strength squad for the competition, with Shreyas Iyer set to lead the team. The squad also features players including Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, and Axar Patel among others.
Pakistan are expected to announce their squad in the coming weeks. Currently, they are going through a rare window in their otherwise busy schedule. Pakistan Cricket Board announced conducting white-ball and red-ball training camps during this break, which will feature 49 players. The camps will be overseen by Pakistan’s head coaches in respective formats.
Pakistan’s clear schedule
Following their break, Pakistan will travel to West Indies for a two-match Test tour followed by another away Test series against England. According to the FTP, Pakistan have a tri-series involving them, England and Sri Lanka in October 2026.
They could play Sri Lanka in a complete all-format series during the same time as well. However, both of these series are likely to be played in late October, which means there will be no direct scheduling clash with the Asian Games.
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