Muhammad Ridwan tried to speak about the phone confiscation, but the PCB rejected him twice

Significant changes have occurred in the men's cricket team of Pakistan ahead of the Asian Games 2026. Fast bowler Salman Mirza was excluded from the squad due to a fracture of his left thumb.

Mohammad Wasim Jr. has been included in the team to replace him. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially announced these changes. According to the PCB, Salman Mirza is undergoing rehabilitation after the injury and, although he is expected to make a full recovery by the first week of October, he will be unable to participate in Pakistan's campaign at the Asian Games due to the finger fracture.

The leadership of the Pakistan team for the Asian Games has been entrusted to Sahibzada Farhan, while Abdul Samad will serve as vice-captain. Players such as Babar Azam, Shakib Al Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah were not included in the squad. The reasons for their absence are either rest or a decision by the selectors, but no clear information has been provided on this matter.

The men's cricket tournament at the Asian Games will begin on September 24. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh advanced directly to the quarterfinals. It should be noted that the Indian and Pakistani teams cannot meet in the semi-finals; their confrontation is only possible in the bronze or gold medal matches. Both teams will play their quarterfinal matches on September 28.

The Pakistan team squad for the Asian Games includes: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raja, Arafat Minhaj, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maj Sadakat, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Saad Masood, Samee Ayub, Sufian Mukeem, and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper).

Although the Pakistan team lost to England in a series of three Test matches with a score of 0-3, there is still an atmosphere of celebration among fans. The Pakistani athletes appeared helpless throughout the entire series against England.

However, something happened during the second half of the third Test that instantly made 21-year-old Rajulla famous. Debuting in the match at Edgbaston, Rajulla made a sensation from the very beginning, astonishing experienced players.

When the team arrived at Islamabad airport, sadness over the defeat was visible on the faces of all team members, but fans welcomed Rajulla with great respect, surrounding him with applause and cheers like a true hero.

Rajulla's story resembles a movie script. He hails from the remote village of Bari in Pakistan, where they lived in difficult conditions. They lacked the funds even to pay for training at a cricket academy. In such circumstances, his older brother, who worked as a truck driver, sacrificed his earnings for Rajulla's dreams.

When Rajulla first received his Pakistan Test kit at Edgbaston, he immediately left his mark. On only the fourth ball of his Test career, he dismissed the outstanding English batsman Joe Root. In the first half of the match, he scored 4 runs thanks to his intimidating pace.

In the second half of the match, when the Pakistan team was on the verge of defeat, Rajulla came onto the field as number nine batsman. What happened next was unexpected. He played a brilliant match, scoring 81 runs off just 63 balls. This innings included 9 sixes and 4 fours. He reached a half-century in just 43 balls, which is the fastest half-century in a debut Test for Pakistan. Along with Mohammad Abbas (42 runs), he built a record partnership of 121 runs for the ninth wicket, saving the team from defeat in the innings.

Rajulla's fearless style and pace prompted applause from the English spectators. After the match, the entire stadium at Edgbaston stood up to pay tribute to this young player. Nevertheless, the Pakistan team lost this match by 8 wickets and completely lost the series 0-3.