Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Salman Mirza has been ruled out of the men’s T20 cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan because of a thumb injury, with Mohammad Wasim Jr named as his replacement.
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mirza suffered a fracture to his left thumb and is currently undergoing rehabilitation. He is expected to regain full fitness by the first week of October.
Mohammad Wasim Jr Joins Pakistan Squad
Wasim Jr has been added to Pakistan’s 15-member Asian Games squad in place of Mirza.
The men’s T20 cricket competition at the Asian Games will begin on September 24 at Kurogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture, while the medal matches are scheduled for October 3.
Pakistan will be led by Sahibzada Farhan. The team’s first quarter-final is scheduled for September 28 at Kurogi Sports Park in Nisshin against a qualifying team.
Pakistan’s 15-Member Squad
The Pakistan squad comprises Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdus Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Aqib Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Muaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufiyan Muqeem and Usman Khan.
The squad has assembled in Karachi for a training camp at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre from September 21 to 24 before travelling to Japan.