Karachi, Dec 18 (UNI) Nineteen-year-old middle-order batter Farhan Yousaf will remain at the helm of Pakistan U19 after a 15-member squad was confirmed for the upcoming tri-series in Zimbabwe and the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place across Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6.
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan U19 are currently in action at the ACC U19 Asia Cup in Dubai, where they are set to face Bangladesh in the semi-final on December 19, after finishing second in Group A. The final of the eight-team tournament will be held on December 21.
There is just one change from the squad named for the Asia Cup, with right-arm fast bowler Umar Zaib coming in for left-arm spinner Mohammad Huzaifa for both the tri-series and the U19 World Cup.
Right-arm pacer Ali Raza, who shone at the 2024 edition of the tournament, has been named in the squad for the upcoming tournament too. Just 15 at the time, Raza’s 4 for 34 against Australia in the semi-final almost carried Pakistan to a famous win. The pacer had picked up nine wickets in just three games at the tournament.
The tri-series, involving Afghanistan, Pakistan and hosts Zimbabwe, will be played from 25 December to 6 January and will act as key preparation for the 50-over U19 World Cup.
Pakistan U19 squad:
Farhan Yousaf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hasan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan (wk), Niqab Shafiq, Sameer Minhas, Umar Zaib
Non-travelling reserves: Abdul Qadir, Farhanullah, Hassan Khan, Ibtisam Azhar, Mohammad Huzaifa.
