Pakistan set to face off Nepal in first match of ACC U19 Asia Cup

 Pakistan set to face off Nepal in first match of ACC U19 Asia Cup

Asher Butt

The much-anticipated ACC U19 Men’s Asia Cup is set to kick off in Dubai, with Pakistan U19 scheduled to play their first match against Nepal U19 on 8 December at 1030 PKT. Pakistan U19 are placed in Group A alongside Nepal U19, India U19 and Afghanistan U19. 

The tournament will be held between 8 to 17 December and will feature eight teams and 15 matches in a span of nine days.

The 15-member Pakistan U19 squad are captained by Saad Baig, who had earlier led his side against Sri Lanka U19 at home in the five-match 50-over series and registered an impressive 4-1 series win over Bangladesh U19 in the tour of Bangladesh in April/May 2023. Pakistan U19 have also played a four-day match each against Sri Lanka U19 and Bangladesh U19 during the aforementioned home and away series. 

Shamyl Hussain (386), Shahzaib Khan (365) and Arafat Minhas (342) are the only batters from Pakistan’s squad to have scored over 300 runs in the 50-over series against Sri Lanka U19 and Bangladesh U19 in 2023. Among the bowlers, Arafat Minhas (13), Ali Asfand (10) and Ubaid Shah (9) are the leading wicket-takers for Pakistan U19 in the 50-over matches played this year.  

Spinners Arafat Minhas, Ali Asfand and fast bowler Mohammad Zeeshan are the only members of the squad to have tasted senior level cricket. Arafat Minhas is the only capped player in the squad as he featured in three T20Is for Pakistan in the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition. Arafat has also played 10 List A games. Left-arm spinner, Ali Asfand represented Faisalabad in two matches of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023-24 and also appeared in 11 List A and 10 T20 games. Mohammad Zeeshan has one List A game to his name. 

Pakistan U19 Set to Take on Nepal in ACC U19 Asia Cup Opener

DUBAI, December 7, 2023: The stage is set for the ACC U19 Men's Asia Cup as Pakistan U19 gears up to face Nepal U19 in their opening match on December 8th. All matches of the tournament, running from December 8th to 17th, will be live-streamed on the Asian Cricket Council's YouTube channel.

Pakistan U19, captained by Saad Baig, enters the tournament with a strong track record. Led by Baig, the team secured a dominant 4-1 series win over Bangladesh U19 earlier this year and impressed with a 5-0 sweep against Sri Lanka U19 at home.

Fans can expect exciting performances from Pakistan's talented young players. Shamyl Hussain, Shahzaib Khan, and Arafat Minhas boast impressive batting records, while Arafat Minhas, Ali Asfand, and Ubaid Shah lead the bowling attack.

Interestingly, three players from the squad have already tasted senior cricket. Spinners Arafat Minhas and Ali Asfand, alongside fast bowler Mohammad Zeeshan, bring valuable experience to the team. Minhas even boasts three T20I caps for Pakistan, making him the only capped player in the U19 squad.

Don't miss the opportunity to witness the next generation of cricket stars in action! Watch Pakistan U19 take on Nepal U19 on December 8th at 1030 PKT, live on the Asian Cricket Council's YouTube channel.

Pakistan U19 squad – Saad Baig (captain and wicketkeeper), Ahmad Hussain, Ali Asfand, Amir Hassan, Arafat Minhas (vice-captain), Azan Awais, Khubaib Khalil, Najab Khan, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Mohammad Riazullah, Mohammad Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Zeeshan, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Ubaid Shah

Non-Travelling Reserves – Ahmad Hassan, Aimal Khan, Obaid Shahid and Mohammad Zulkifal.

Schedule:

8 December – Pakistan U19 vs Nepal U19, ICC Academy Ground No 2

10 December – Pakistan U19 vs India U19, ICC Academy Ground

12 December – Pakistan U19 vs Afghanistan U19, ICC Academy Ground