The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member Pakistan Shaheens squad for the 50-over ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026, scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 19 to 29.
Abdul Samad has been appointed captain of the defending champions, who will compete in Group B alongside India A, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Pakistan Shaheens will begin their campaign against UAE on November 20 before taking on India A on November 22 and Nepal on November 24.
The tournament’s semi-finals will be held on November 26 and 27, with the final scheduled for November 29.
The squad features a strong batting lineup comprising Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Haider Ali, Shahzaib Khan, Farhan Yousuf and Shamyl Hussain. Rohail Nazir has been named as the wicketkeeper.
Danish Aziz, Saad Masood and Sufyan Moqim will provide spin options, while the pace attack includes Mohammad Hasnain, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed and Muhammad Imran Randhawa.
Ahmed Daniyal was instrumental in Pakistan Shaheens’ previous Rising Stars triumph, emerging as the hero in the Super Over against Bangladesh A in the T20 edition.
Pakistan Shaheens are defending champions in both the 50-over and T20 formats of the competition.
The team won the 50-over title in 2023 after defeating India A by 128 runs in Sri Lanka. They also claimed the previous T20 edition after beating Bangladesh A in a Super Over thriller.
Pakistan finished runners-up in the inaugural editions in 2013 and 2017 before winning the title in 2019.
Pakistan Shaheens squad
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.
Pakistan Shaheens fixtures
| Date | Opponent | Time (PKT) |
|---|---|---|
| November 20 | UAE | 11am |
| November 22 | India A | 3pm |
| November 24 | Nepal | 3pm |
| November 26 | First semi-final | 3pm |
| November 27 | Second semi-final | 3pm |
| November 29 | Final | 3pm |
All matches will be played in Qatar. The opening fixture will take place at the University of Doha Science and Technology, while the remaining matches are scheduled at West End Park International Cricket Stadium.
