Pakistan Cricket team [Source: AFP]Pakistan have made a late change to their men’s cricket squad for the Asian Games 2026, with Salman Mirza ruled out of the tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed the development while also announcing the player who will take Mirza’s place in the squad. The change comes ahead of Pakistan’s campaign at the Asian Games, where Sahibzada Farhan will lead the side. To compensate the loss, a brute pace force has now has now been added to the squad as Mirza’s replacement.Salman Mirza ruled out of Asian Games 2026 due to injurySalman Mirza has been ruled out of Pakistan’s Asian Games 2026 squad due to an injury. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board has not mentioned the exact nature or extent of the injury in its squad update.Mirza had initially been named in Pakistan’s 15-member squad and was among the bowling options for the tournament. The 32-year-old has represented Pakistan in 17 T20Is, picking up 23 wickets at an average of 16.13 and an economy rate of 6.43. His best figures in the format are 3/14.Overall, Mirza has taken 68 wickets in 49 T20 matches, with his best figures being 4/11. He has also claimed 31 wickets in six first-class appearances.With Mirza unavailable, Pakistan have brought in an experienced international fast bowler to complete their squad.Also Read- Wasim Akram Slams Babar Azam For Accepting Pakistan CaptaincyReplacement announced for Salman Mirza; Mohammad Wasim Jnr addedMohammad Wasim Jnr has been named as Salman Mirza’s replacement in Pakistan’s Asian Games squad. The right-arm fast-medium bowler brings considerably more international experience to the group.Wasim has played 34 T20Is for Pakistan and taken 42 wickets at an average of 21.50, including best figures of 4/24. He has also represented Pakistan in 27 ODIs, claiming 43 wickets.His most recent T20I appearance came against Sri Lanka in January 2026 and with recent form to his side, the Men in Green will be going with a formidable bowling attack for the event.Pakistan updated squad for Asian Games 2026Sahibzada Farhan [C], Abdul Samad [VC], Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Wasim Jnr, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan.Why Salman Mirza is a key player of Pakistan Cricket team?Mirza’s absence could force Pakistan to rethink how they attack the opening overs in the Asian Games 2026. As a left-arm seamer capable of getting movement early, Mirza offers Pakistan a different angle against right-handed batters and can create uncertainty before the innings settles.That becomes particularly important in T20 cricket, where a couple of wickets inside the powerplay can completely change the tempo of a chase or force a batting side to rebuild. Mirza has shown that he can make those early breakthroughs count, including a strong impact against Bangladesh, while his performances against South Africa have also highlighted his ability to trouble quality batters. 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Mohammad Wasim Jnr provides international experience as his replacement, but Pakistan will still need to find a way to replicate the early swing, left-arm angle and attacking intent Mirza could have brought to the Asian Games 2026.Also Read- "Best ODI Of The Year": Fans Thrilled As Australia Seal Nerve-Wracking Win vs Zimbabwe
