Abdul Samad to captain Pakistan at Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 in Qatar
Synopsis
Pakistan, the defending champions of both the 50-over and T20 Rising Stars Asia Cup, have named Abdul Samad as captain of their 15-man squad for the tournament in Qatar starting 19 November. With Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, and a clutch of fringe internationals in the mix, the real test comes on 22 November — a group-stage clash against India A.
Key Takeaways
Abdul Samad will captain Pakistan's 15-man squad at the 50-over Rising Stars Asia Cup in Qatar , beginning 19 November .
Pakistan are the defending champions of both the 50-over (2023, Colombo) and T20 (2024, Doha) Rising Stars Asia Cup editions.
Hasan Nawaz returns after scoring 96 against India in the Asian Games final and making a comeback to Pakistan's ODI tri-series squad.
Mohammad Hasnain , with 15 ODIs since his 2019 debut, spearheads the pace attack alongside Ahmed Daniyal and Akif Javed .
Pakistan face UAE on 20 November , India A on 22 November , and Nepal on 25 November in Group B.
Abdul Samad will lead a 15-man Pakistan squad at the 50-over Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, which gets underway on 19 November in Qatar. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the squad on 3 November, with the side featuring a blend of experienced fringe internationals and emerging talent rather than first-choice ODI regulars — as expected for this emerging-player competition.
Key Players in the Squad
Samad, who was recently seen in action at the Hong Kong Sixes, the Asian Games final against India, and a T20I against Sri Lanka last month, leads an experienced batting line-up. Among the notable names is Hasan Nawaz, who recently made a comeback to Pakistan's ODI squad for the tri-series and had scored a crucial 96 against India in the Asian Games final. Maaz Sadaqat, Haider Ali, Shahzaib Khan, Farhan Yousuf, and Shamyl Hussain round out the batting unit.
Pace Attack and Bowling Lineup
The fast bowling contingent is headlined by Mohammad Hasnain, who made his ODI debut in 2019 but played the last of his 15 ODIs in February 2025. He is joined by Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, and spinner Sufyan Moqim, who was part of Pakistan's squad for the Rawalpindi leg of the tri-series. Rohail Nazir will serve as the wicketkeeper.
Pakistan's Group Stage Schedule
Pakistan have been placed in Group B alongside India A, UAE, and Nepal. They open their campaign against the UAE on 20 November, before a high-profile clash with India A on 22 November, and conclude the group stage against Nepal on 25 November. The India A fixture is expected to draw the most attention given the rivalry between the two nations at every level of cricket.
Pakistan's Defending Champion Status
Pakistan carry the weight of being defending champions in both formats of the Rising Stars Asia Cup. They beat India A to clinch the 2023 50-over edition in Colombo, and followed that up by defeating Bangladesh A to lift the T20 title in Doha last year. Notably, this is the third consecutive rising-stars tournament in which Pakistan enter as title-holders — a remarkable run for a side that operates outside the senior national setup.
Full Squad
Pakistan's squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup: Abdul Samad (capt), Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Danish Aziz, Farhan Yousaf, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Imran, Rohail Nazir (wk), Saad Masood, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim.
All eyes will be on whether Pakistan can defend their 50-over crown when the tournament kicks off on 19 November in Qatar.
Point of View
Giving the side a competitive edge over newer programmes without cannibalising senior-team depth. What stands out is the return of Hasnain: at 15 ODIs over six years, his career has stalled, and this tournament is effectively a last credible audition. The India A fixture on 22 November will dominate headlines regardless of context, but the real story is whether this squad can sustain Pakistan's back-to-back rising-stars dominance against a more competitive Asian landscape in 2026.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will captain Pakistan at the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026?
Abdul Samad will captain Pakistan's 15-man squad at the 50-over Rising Stars Asia Cup in Qatar, which begins on 19 November 2026. Samad has recent international experience from the Hong Kong Sixes, the Asian Games final against India, and a T20I against Sri Lanka.
When and where is the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 being held?
The 50-over Rising Stars Asia Cup gets underway on 19 November 2026 in Qatar. Pakistan open their Group B campaign against UAE on 20 November.
Are Pakistan the defending champions at the Rising Stars Asia Cup?
Yes, Pakistan are the defending champions of both formats of the Rising Stars Asia Cup. They beat India A to win the 2023 50-over edition in Colombo and defeated Bangladesh A to claim the T20 title in Doha last year.
Which group are Pakistan in, and who do they face?
Pakistan are placed in Group B alongside India A, UAE, and Nepal. They face UAE on 20 November, India A on 22 November, and Nepal on 25 November.
Who are the key players in Pakistan's Rising Stars Asia Cup squad?
Key players include captain Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz (who scored 96 against India in the Asian Games final), fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, Maaz Sadaqat, and spinner Sufyan Moqim. Rohail Nazir will keep wicket.
