The Asia Cup 2026 is coming. And for Pakistani cricket fans, one question matters above all others: when does Pakistan play India?
According to ICC’s official Pakistan squad announcement, the eight-team Asia Cup is all set to be staged between September 9-28, where Pakistan are placed in Group A along with Oman, India and the UAE.
Here is everything you need to know — the cricket schedule 2026, the Pakistan squad, match dates, venues, and which channel will telecast the Asia Cup 2026 in Pakistan. For PCB’s broader administrative picture heading into this tournament, our Younis Khan and Hafeez PCB roles shake-up article provides the full context.
Asia Cup 2026 Full Schedule – Pakistan Matches and Dates
The tournament will be played in T20 format in the UAE. According to ICC, Pakistan will first feature in a tri-series with the UAE and Afghanistan between 29 August to 7 September. Then the main Asia Cup begins.
| Stage | Match | Date (Tentative) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | Pakistan vs Oman | ~Sept 9-10 | UAE |
| Group A | Pakistan vs India | ~Sept 12-13 | UAE |
| Group A | Pakistan vs UAE | ~Sept 15-16 | UAE |
| Super 4 | TBD based on group results | ~Sept 18-22 | UAE |
| Final | Top 2 from Super 4 | September 28 | UAE |
Exact dates and the stadium list will be confirmed by the ACC (Asian Cricket Council) closer to the tournament. According to Asia Cup’s official site, 24PakTimes will update this article when final fixtures are announced.
Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2026 – Who Is In?
According to PCB’s official squad announcement and ICC, Salman Ali Agha will lead Pakistan for the upcoming UAE tri-series and the subsequent Asia Cup. Among the prominent players to feature apart from Salman are Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Faheem Ashraf. Younger stars like Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Haris will also look to leave their mark.
Full Pakistan Asia Cup 2026 Squad:
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim.
Who Is Pakistan Captain for Asia Cup 2026?
Salman Ali Agha leads the side. His appointment signals the PCB’s commitment to building a new leadership core ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle.
According to ICC, seniors like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan didn’t find a place in the Asia Cup line-up, though coach Mike Hesson did leave the door open for Babar to return.
That is a bold selection call. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s all-format captain for years, being left out of the Asia Cup squad sends a clear message: the PCB and Mohammad Rizwan era is evolving. A new generation — led by Salman Agha, powered by Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling and Saim Ayub’s explosive batting — is being given the stage.
Pakistan vs India in Asia Cup 2026 – When and Where?
The Pakistan vs India Asia Cup 2026 match date is expected around September 12-13 during the Group A stage. Both teams are in the same group, guaranteeing at least one head-to-head clash.
If both teams advance to the Super 4 stage — which is highly likely — a second Pakistan-India match becomes possible. And if both reach the final on September 28, Pakistani fans could see three Pakistan vs India cricket matches in a single tournament.
The last Asia Cup was won by Sri Lanka in the Women’s format. According to ICC, Pakistan have featured in the continental tournament on 15 occasions. They’ve won it twice, under Moin Khan’s captaincy in 2000 and under Misbah-ul-Haq’s leadership in 2012.
Which Channel Will Telecast Asia Cup 2026 in Pakistan?
The Asia Cup 2026 live telecast in Pakistan will be on PTV Sports and ARY Sports. Streaming is expected on Tapmad and the ICC digital platform.
For Pakistan fans who cannot watch live, 24PakTimes will provide ball-by-ball cricket live score updates and match summaries.
Who Won the Last Asia Cup?
The last men’s Asia Cup (2023) was won by India in the ODI format, held in a hybrid model across Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Pakistan reached the Super 4 stage but were eliminated after losses to India and Sri Lanka.
The men’s T20I Asia Cup 2024 was held in February in Sri Lanka.
Asian Games 2026 Cricket – Pakistan’s Second Cricket Assignment
Separately from the Asia Cup, Pakistan has also announced a squad for the Asian Games 2026 cricket event in Japan. According to Yahoo Sports’ Asian Games squad report, Sahibzada Farhan will lead the Pakistan Men’s Team in the Asian Games 2026, set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan from 19 September to 4 October.
The 10-team Men’s T20I event will be played at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture. Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Salman Agha are all left out of the Asian Games squad — meaning the PCB is managing workloads carefully between the Asia Cup and Asian Games, which overlap in timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Pakistan’s next match in Asia Cup 2026?
vPakistan’s first Asia Cup match is expected around September 9-10 against Oman in the UAE. The exact fixture will be confirmed by the ACC.
Who is Pakistan captain for Asia Cup 2026?
Salman Ali Agha is the captain for the Asia Cup 2026.
Which channel will telecast Asia Cup 2026 in Pakistan?
PTV Sports and ARY Sports will broadcast the tournament. Streaming will be available on Tapmad.
What is Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2026?
The 17-member squad includes Salman Agha (c), Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Haris, and others. Babar Azam and Rizwan have not been selected.
Will Pakistan play India in Asia Cup 2026?
Yes. Pakistan and India are in the same Group A. They will play at least one group stage match, with potential Super 4 and final meetings possible.
Who won the last Asia Cup?
India won the last men’s Asia Cup in 2023 (ODI format).
24PakTimes will provide daily cricket updates as the Asia Cup 2026 approaches. Follow us for squad announcements, match previews, and live score coverage.
