Pakistan’s U19 cricket team is set to face Afghanistan and hosts UAE in a tri-series that begins November 13 at the ICC Academy in Dubai. The 50-over tournament will follow a double-league format, with the top two teams competing in the final on November 26. This series marks a key preparatory phase for the Pakistani squad ahead of the ACC U19 Asia Cup, scheduled from November 29 to December 8 in Dubai and Sharjah.
The Saad Baig-led team arrived in Dubai on Saturday and has completed three intensive practice sessions aimed at acclimating to local conditions. The squad includes several experienced players, with Baig, Shahzaib Khan, and Tayyab Arif having previously competed at the ICC Academy during last year’s ACC U19 Asia Cup.
Speaking to PCB Digital on the eve of the tournament, captain Saad Baig expressed confidence in the team’s preparation. “The players have had good training sessions here and have played matches before departing,” Baig said. “Both Afghanistan and UAE are strong sides, and playing against them will provide us a great opportunity to get our combination right before the ACC U19 Asia Cup later this month.”
Pakistan U19 squad for tri-series: Saad Baig (captain, wicket-keeper) (Karachi), Abdul Subhan (Abbottabad), Ali Raza (Sialkot), Faham-ul-Haq (Lahore), Farhan Yousuf (Lahore), Haroon Arshad (Karachi), Hassan Khan (Rawalpindi), Mohammad Ahmed (Lahore), Mohammad Huzaifa (Bahawalpur), Mohammad Riazullah (Abbottabad), Naveed Ahmed Khan (Karachi), Shahzaib Khan (Abbottabad), Tayyab Arif (Sialkot), Umar Zaib (Abbottabad) and Usman Khan (FATA).
Non-travelling reserves: Ahmed Hussain (Peshawar), Rizwanullah (Karachi) and Yahya bin Abdul Rehman (Lahore).