Pakistan's Predicted Playing XI Vs Hong Kong, Asian Games 2026

Pakistan Players During T20 World Cup 2026 (Source: AFP Photos)Under the leadership of Sahibzada Farhan, Pakistan will play their first match in the Asian Games 2026 on Monday (September 28). The match is scheduled to get underway at 9:00 AM Local Time, which is 5:30 AM IST.Hong Kong will be Pakistan’s first opponent in the Asian Games 2026, and it will be the first Quarter-final at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin.With so many new names in the squad, let’s take a look at how Pakistan’s possible playing XI will look like against Hong Kong.Openers & No. 3: Sahibzada Farhan (C), Maaz Sadaqat and Saim AyubSahibzada Farhan, without a doubt, will open for Pakistan, having seen excellent success in the T20 World Cup 2026. He, in all likelihood, will begin the proceedings with Maaz Sadaqat.Sadaqat had two centuries in his last three T20 outings in the CPL 2026, including a century in the final for Jamaica Kingsmen. This will automatically demote Saim Ayub, who played in the same team as Sadaqat and was in the middle order anyway.Middle-Order & Wicket-Keeper: Hasan Nawaz, Usman Khan (WK), Abdul Samad and Arafat MinhasHasan Nawaz was in superb touch in CPL 2026 while coming to bat at No. 4. He made 220 runs across seven innings, including an important 35-ball 47 not out in the final for Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, who ended up winning the title.Despite rough form with the bat, Usman Khan, being the sole designated wicket-keeper, will keep his place in Pakistan’s playing XI until Farhan, a part-timer in that department, decides otherwise.Across five innings in CPL 2026, Usman managed only 79 runs at an average of 15.80, with a strike rate reading 119.70.Also Read: Pakistan Ready To Beat India In Asian Games, Sahibzada Farhan Claims While Eyeing GoldVice-captain Abdul Samad and emerging all-rounder Arafat Minhas will take charge of Pakistan’s finishing duties. Besides, Minhas can chip in with a few important overs as well, as Japan’s conditions could be in his favour.Bowlers: Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Sufyan Moqim and Abrar AhmedFor the fast-bowling department, Pakistan, in all likelihood, will prefer the duo of Ahmed Daniyal and Akif Javed over Ali Raza and Mohammad Wasim Jnr.While Ali Raza, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's nemesis, is still relatively young, Wasim Jnr joined the squad later as a replacement for Salman Mirza.Nevertheless, they have the best spin attack in the competition, with No. 1 T20I bowler Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim in it. Both Abrar and Moqim can spin a web around Hong Kong batters, and could break new records if they can deliver what they often do on the field.Pakistan's Probable Playing XI For Asian Games Vs Hong KongSahibzada Farhan (C), Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, Usman Khan (WK), Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Sufyan Moqim, Abrar AhmedAlso Read: Pakistan’s Record In Men's Asian Games History