Pakistan team departed for over-60s cricket World Cup in Canada

Pakistan Over-60s cricket team departed from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi to compete in the IMC Over-60s Cricket World Cup 2026. The tournament is scheduled from 9th to 23rd August 2026 in Mississauga, Canada and will feature 14 Teams from across the globe. Teams featuring in this World Cup are: Pakistan, Australia, India, South Africa, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, USA, Zimbabwe, Canada, Wales, Scotland and IMC Emerging XI.

A Send-Off Dinner was hosted on Wednesday at Karachi Gymkhana Club to bid farewell to the Pakistan Over-60s squad. Mr. Saeed Ghani, Minister of Sindh for Labour, Human Resources and Social Protection, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Saeed Ghani and Mr. Nadeem Omar extended their best wishes and words of encouragement to the squad. Mr. Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association, expressed confidence that the team would give their best to bring the World Cup title back to Pakistan.

Pakistan enters the competition with a distinguished legacy at the Over-60s level, having clinched the Over-60s World Cup 2022 by defeating Australia in the Semi-Final and New Zealand in the Final of the tournament held in Brisbane, Australia. The 2026 squad draws on that championship experience, with five members of the title-winning side — Fawad Ijaz Khan, Syed Saghir Abbas, Muhammad Younus, Muhammad Ashraf Pakhali and Tahir Rashid — returning to the fold.

The team will be led by Fawad Ijaz Khan, with Syed Mazhar Hussain serving as Vice Captain. A notable inclusion in the squad is Sajid Ali, a former Pakistan international player who represented the national side in 13 One Day Internationals.

Pakistan Team will open their World Cup campaign against Wales on 9th August, before facing IMC Emerging XI on 10th August. Following a couple of rest days, Men in Green will return to action against Sri Lanka on 13th August. Afterwards, Pakistan will face the host Canada on 17th August and South Africa on 18th August, before concluding their pool fixtures against Australia on 20th August. The Semi-Finals are scheduled for 21st August, with the Grand Final to be played on 23rd August 2026.