Samad Leads Pakistan Shaheens Asia Cup Rising Stars Squad
The Pakistan Shaheens Asia Cup Rising Stars squad for 2026 will be led by Abdul Samad, after the Pakistan Cricket Board named a 15-member side for the 50-over tournament in Qatar. The defending champions will play in Group B with India A, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates, and they will open their campaign against the UAE on November 20.
Samad will captain a side packed with players who have already tasted senior cricket. Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Haider Ali, Shahzaib Khan, Farhan Yousuf and Shamyl Hussain form the core of the batting group. Rohail Nazir will keep wicket. The squad blends that batting depth with a varied bowling attack, and it gives several young players a clear path toward the senior side.
The tournament will run from November 19 to 29. Pakistan Shaheens will face India A on November 22 and Nepal on November 24. The semi-finals are set for November 26 and 27, and the final will be played on November 29. All of the Shaheens matches are day-night fixtures, except the opener, which is a day match.
Pakistan Shaheens Asia Cup Rising Stars fixtures and squad
The full 15-member squad is: Abdul Samad (captain), Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Danish Aziz, Farhan Yousuf, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Saad Masood, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufyan Moqim.
Danish Aziz, Saad Masood and Sufyan Moqim will handle the spin duties. Mohammad Hasnain will lead the pace attack, with Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed and Muhammad Imran Randhawa in support. Daniyal carries a useful memory into this event, since he was the super-over hero of the previous edition.
The fixtures give Pakistan an early test against the UAE, then a high-profile clash with India A, then a group closer against Nepal. A top-two finish in Group B would take the Shaheens into the semi-finals. The other group holds Afghanistan A, Bangladesh A, Hong Kong China and Sri Lanka A.
Defending champions with a title to protect
Pakistan enter the event as defending champions, and the recent history of this tournament explains why the squad announcement matters. The last 50-over edition, played in Sri Lanka in 2023, ended with Pakistan beating India A by 128 runs. The most recent edition, played in the T20 format, ended with Pakistan beating Bangladesh A in a final decided by a super over.
That record also frames the return to 50 overs. The longer format tests a different set of skills, since batters must build an innings and bowlers must hold a plan across 50 overs. For players such as Sadaqat, who was named player of the tournament in the 2025 edition, the change of format is a fresh challenge rather than a repeat of last year.
The timing fits a busy domestic calendar. Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi were set for a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy opening clash, which shows how first-class form feeds the national pathway.
Why the India A match will draw the most eyes
No group match will attract more attention than Pakistan against India A on November 22. India A have named a strong side of their own, and the fixture carries the usual weight of a Pakistan-India contest, even at A-team level. For the Shaheens, it is also a useful measure of where they stand, since India A will test both the batting core and the pace attack.
The UAE match comes first, however, and the Shaheens cannot afford to look past it. A win on November 20 would settle nerves and put early points on the board. Nepal, on November 24, will then decide whether Pakistan reach the knockouts with momentum or under pressure.
Young players often use this tournament as a springboard. Saad Baig credited domestic cricket for his debut series, a reminder that A-team performances are watched closely by selectors.
What happens next
The Shaheens will travel to Qatar before the tournament starts on November 19. The first question for the team management is the balance of the playing eleven, since the squad holds three frontline spinners and four pace options alongside a deep batting group. The second question is the order of the batting, since several players in the squad can open or bat in the middle order.
For now, the message from the selection is clear. Pakistan have picked a side to defend a title, not merely to take part. Samad leads it, Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz give it firepower, and Hasnain gives it pace. The test starts against the UAE on November 20.
The wider Pakistan cricket picture adds context. Mohammad Amir cleared the air before the APL draft, while a former coach pinpointed flaws in Babar Azam’s batting.
Frequently asked questions
Who will captain Pakistan Shaheens at the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026?
Abdul Samad will captain the 15-member Pakistan Shaheens squad at the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 in Qatar.
When and where will the tournament be played?
The 50-over tournament will be played in Qatar from November 19 to 29, 2026, with the final on November 29.
Who are Pakistan Shaheens grouped with?
Pakistan Shaheens are in Group B with India A, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates. Group A holds Afghanistan A, Bangladesh A, Hong Kong China and Sri Lanka A.
What are Pakistan Shaheens’ group fixtures?
Pakistan Shaheens play the UAE on November 20, India A on November 22 and Nepal on November 24. The semi-finals follow on November 26 and 27.
Are Pakistan Shaheens the defending champions?
Yes. Pakistan won the last 50-over edition in Sri Lanka in 2023 by beating India A by 128 runs, and they won the most recent T20 edition by beating Bangladesh A in a super-over final.
