Defending champions Pakistan unveil U-19 Asia Cup squad

Defending champions Pakistan have named a 15-member squad for the Under-19 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Oman from November 5 to 14.

Farhan Yousuf will captain the side, which is due to leave Karachi for Oman on October 29, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Tuesday. Pakistan have been drawn in Group A with arch-rivals India, Nepal and hosts the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the eight-team competition.

The squad features wicketkeeper-batters Abdul Qadir and Hamza Zahoor, along with batters Usman Khan, Hayam Khan, Jahangir Bilal and Huzaifa Ahsan. All-rounders Ahmed Hussain and Hasnain Abbas Dar have also been selected.

The pace bowling department includes Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Seyam, Ali Raza and Rizwanullah, while Mohammad Huzaifa and Niqab Shafiq will provide the spin options.

Of the 15 players named for the tournament, only Ali Raza and Huzaifa Ahsan were absent from the Pakistan U-19 team that beat England 3-1 in a four-match Youth ODI series in September.

Pakistan will open their title defence against the UAE on November 6, followed by matches against India on November 8 and Nepal on November 10.

The previous edition saw Pakistan defeat India by 191 runs in the final at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai to lift the trophy in the UAE.

Group B consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The semi-finals will be held on November 12, with the final scheduled for November 14.

Pakistan U-19 squad: Farhan Yousuf (captain), Abdul Qadir (wicketkeeper), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Raza, Hamza Zahoor (wicketkeeper), Hasnain Abbas Dar, Hayam Khan, Huzaifa Ahsan, Jahangir Bilal, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohammad Seyam, Niqab Shafiq, Rizwanullah and Usman Khan.