An overseas player has been included in Cricket Fiji’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Sub-Regional Qualifier A taking place next week. New Zealand resident Anish Shar is one of the 14 players selected to represent Fiji as they aim for a spot in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The team announcement came after the inaugural Super 8 tournament, with players beginning training immediately on Monday. Cricket Fiji’s chief executive officer, Sitiveni Rokoro, confirmed that the squad consists of 13 local players and Shar, who will travel from Auckland to join the team in Samoa.
The lineup features a blend of emerging young talents and seasoned players. Several members of the team are under-19 players who participated in last year’s U19 World Cup, demonstrating their readiness for the men’s squad. Rokoro described this as one of the best-prepared teams compared to previous years, as they participated in a trial in July followed by the Super 8 tournament last week.
The team has been holding training sessions at Albert Park in Suva and is set to leave for Samoa on August 15. Fiji will compete against the Cook Islands, host Samoa, and Vanuatu in the tournament running from August 17 to 24 in Apia, Samoa.
The winner of Qualifier A will face the champion from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup EAP Sub-Regional Qualifier B, which includes Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea. The overall winner will earn a place in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The selected squad includes Peni Dakainivanua Junior, Dawson Maraiwai, Jioeli Qalobula, Apete Sokovagone, Peni Kotoisuva, Peni Volavoila, Metuisela Beitaki, James Vuli, Peniseni Ledua, Sunia Tuiwai, Qalo Kotoisuva, Siteri Tabu, Josaia Cama, and Anish Shar.