Web Desk(National Times)- Maaz Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz have been included in the 15-member Pakistan Shaheens squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026, with Abdul Samad appointed captain for the 50-over tournament to be held in Qatar from Nov 19 to 29.
The Pakistan Cricket Board announced the squad on Tuesday, with the Shaheens set to defend the title they won in the previous 50-over edition in 2023. Pakistan are also the defending champions of the T20 version of the competition, having beaten Bangladesh A in a final decided by a Super Over.
The eight-team tournament will feature two groups of four sides. Pakistan have been placed in Group ‘B’ alongside India A, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates, while Group ‘A’ comprises Afghanistan A, Bangladesh A, Hong Kong China and Sri Lanka A.
The Shaheens will open their campaign against the UAE on Nov 20, before taking on India A two days later and Nepal on Nov 24. Their first match will be played at the University of Doha Science and Technology ground, with the remaining group fixtures scheduled at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium.
All three group matches are day-night fixtures except the opening game, which will be played during the day. The semi-finals are scheduled for Nov 26 and 27, with the final to be held on Nov 29.
Samad will lead a batting group that includes Maaz, Hasan, Haider Ali, Shahzaib Khan, Farhan Yousuf and Shamyl Hussain. Rohail Nazir has been named as the designated wicket-keeper.
The squad also includes three spin options in left-arm spin all-rounder Danish Aziz, leg-spinner Saad Masood and Sufyan Moqim. The pace attack will be led by Mohammad Hasnain and also features Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed and Muhammad Imran Randhawa.
Ahmed Daniyal was part of the Shaheens side that won the previous T20 edition, playing a key role as the team clinched the title against Bangladesh A in a Super Over.
Pakistan won the last 50-over edition in Sri Lanka in 2023, beating India A by 128 runs in the final. They were runners-up in the opening two editions in 2013 and 2017 before winning the competition in 2019.
The Shaheens will be aiming to retain their title against a field that includes several of the region’s emerging sides, with a meeting against India A among the key fixtures in the group stage.
