Sahibzada Farhan will led Pakistan in Asian Games 2026 | PC- AFP
Although the Pakistan cricket camp is currently rocked by the recent rollercoaster of an overhaul, the head coach of the team has been very positive about their preparation for the Asian Games 2026.
Pakistan is set to begin their Asian Games 2026 campaign from September 28 in the 1st Quarter Final, already qualified for the knockouts, and the Pakistan coach Mike Hesson only gave the most positive hint on how the team is suiting up for the mega competition alongside their toughest competitor, India.
Mike Hesson signals preparation of Pakistan for India ahead of Asian Games 2026
As the red-ball team led by Babar Azam is currently in England to play the last match of the three-Test series, Hesson explained that the Pakistan T20I team have already started taking massive preparations for the upcoming tournament in Japan.
“We already had a white-ball camp in Lahore, and I had just returned from Japan, where the Asian Games are taking place, when I was asked if I could manage the red-ball squad,” Hesson told the media at Birmingham.
Notably, Hesson was appointed the red-ball coach of the team overnight, removing Sarfaraz Ahmed. Hence, while Hesson was surveying Japan conditions, he was flown directly to England to quickly take the helm of the Test team.
Significantly, Pakistan have been sharpening their strengths in Lahore to prepare well against India and other tougher opponents like Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, as indicated by Hesson.
The preparatory camp reportedly had names like Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, alongside Sahibzada Farhan and Abdul Samad, amongst others from the selected Asian Games 2026 squad.
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How have Pakistan performed in Asian Games 2026?
Interestingly, the Pakistan cricket team has achieved massive success at the Asian Games through its women's cricket team, while the men's team is still searching for a maiden podium finish.
Back in 2010, at the Guangzhou Asian Games, Pakistan women won a historic gold medal by defeating Bangladesh in the final. In 2014, they defended their title and claimed their second consecutive gold medal by defeating Bangladesh again. In 2022, the Pakistan women's team missed out on a medal and finished outside the top three.
The men's team, meanwhile, has been a letdown since 2010. They finished fourth after losing the bronze medal match, followed by the same result in the 2014 edition.
At the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, the Pakistan men's team again finished fourth after losing the third-place playoff. Hence, there will be a lot at stake for the men in green if they want to secure a podium finish in the 2026 edition.
Have Pakistan ever faced India in the Asian Games?
Unfortunately, Pakistan have never faced India in the Asian Games men's cricket tournament. They have played a total of three matches, including both knockout and preliminary matches, and won only one of them, against Hong Kong in 2023.
Then captain Qasim Akram led the team to a 68-run victory after they set a target of 161 and bundled out the opposition for just 92.
In that edition, the final was played between India and Afghanistan, with the men in blue being crowned champions because of their top-seeded ranking after the match was abandoned due to rain.
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