Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat named in Shaheens squad for Asia Cup Rising Stars

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced the 15-member Pakistan Shaheens squad for the upcoming 50-over edition of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 set to be played in Qatar from November 19 to 29.

Abdul Samad will lead defending champions Pakistan Shaheens in the tournament where they are placed in Group B alongside India A, Nepal and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Shaheens will begin their campaign against UAE on November 20 and will face India A on November 22 and Nepal on November 24.

The semi-finals of the tournament will be played on November 26 and 27, while the final will take place on Sunday, November 29. All of Shaheens’ matches are day-night and will be played at the Eden Park International Stadium except the first one which is a day fixture and is scheduled to be played at the University of Doha Ground.

Apart from skipper Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Haider Ali, Shahzaib Khan, Farhan Yousuf, Shamyl Hussain form a strong batting core for the Shaheens with Rohail Nazir listed as the designated wicket-keeper.

Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Danish Aziz, leg-spinner Saad Masood and Sufyan Moqim are the trio of spinners in the squad. The pace contingent will be led by Mohammad Hasnain and it comprises of Ahmed Daniyal - Shaheens’ super-over hero from the previous edition of the tournament – left-arm pacer Akif Javed and Muhammad Imran Randhawa.

Shaheens won the last 50-over edition of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars in 2023 in Sri Lanka when they beat India A by 128 runs. Meanwhile, in the previous edition, which was played in T20 format, the Shaheens clinched title by edging Bangladesh A in a thrilling final decided by super-over.

Pakistan were runners-up in the opening two editions of this tournament in 2013 and 2017, while they emerged victorious in 2019. In the 2026 edition, the Group A consists of Afghanistan A, Bangladesh A, Hong Kong China and Sri Lanka A.

Pakistan Shaheens 15-member 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 (wk), Saad Masood, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim

Pakistan Shaheens fixtures

November 20 – 11am PKT - v United Arab Emirates at University of Doha Science and Technology

November 22 – 3pm PKT – v India A at West End Park International Cricket Stadium

November 24 – 3pm PKT – v Nepal at West End Park International Cricket Stadium

November 26 – 3pm PKT – 1st Semi-final at West End Park International Cricket Stadium

November 27 – 3pm PKT – 2nd Semi-final at West End Park International Cricket Stadium

November 29 – 3pm PKT – Final at West End Park International Cricket Stadium