Pakistan Announce U19 Squad for Asia Cup 2026 Title Defense

Defending champions Pakistan have named a 15-member squad for the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup in Oman from November 5 to 14. Captain Farhan Yousuf will lead the team, which departs from Karachi on October 29. Pakistan open their campaign against the United Arab Emirates on November 6.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad on October 27. Pakistan are placed in Group A with India, Nepal and the UAE in the eight-team tournament.

Wicketkeeper-batters Abdul Qadir and Hamza Zahoor are part of the squad alongside batters Usman Khan, Hayam Khan, Jahangir Bilal and Huzaifa Ahsan. All-rounders Ahmed Hussain and Hasnain Abbas Dar add depth to the side.

The four pace options are Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Seyam, Ali Raza and Rizwanullah. Left-arm wrist-spinner Mohammad Huzaifa and left-arm spinner Niqab Shafiq complete the bowling options.

Ali Raza and Huzaifa Ahsan are the only squad members who did not feature in Pakistan’s Under-19 team that defeated England 3-1 in a four-match Youth ODI series in September.

Pakistan U19 Squad for Asia Cup 2026

Pakistan’s Asia Cup Fixtures

All matches begin at 10:00 AM Pakistan Standard Time (PKT).

Group B comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.

Pakistan enter the tournament as defending champions after defeating India by 191 runs in the 2025 final at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.

Coaching and Support Staff

Shahid Anwar will serve as head coach and team manager. Rao Iftikhar Anjum is the fast-bowling coach, Zohaib Khan the spin-bowling coach and Humayun Farhat the fielding coach.

The support team also includes physiotherapist Ubaid Ullah, trainer Ibrar Ahmed and performance analyst Ali Hamza.