The Pakistan Cricket Board has officially unveiled a fifteen-member squad for the upcoming ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup 2026, which is scheduled to take place in Oman from 5 to 14 November. Defending champions Pakistan enter the regional tournament aiming to retain their crown following a triumphant campaign in the previous edition held in the United Arab Emirates.
Farhan Yousuf has been named as the captain to lead the youthful side through a demanding group stage schedule. The selection committee has balanced the roster with specialist batters, dynamic all-rounders, frontline spinners, and a robust pace-bowling attack designed to handle varied pitch conditions in Oman.
The squad features two specialist wicketkeeper-batters in Abdul Qadir and Hamza Zahoor, who will be tasked with anchoring the innings behind the stumps and providing stability in the middle order. Their contributions with the bat will prove crucial during high-pressure run chases throughout the tournament.
The batting department is further reinforced by Usman Khan, Hayam Khan, Jahangir Bilal, and Huzaifa Ahsan. These young prospects have demonstrated considerable promise in domestic age-group structures and are expected to form the backbone of the team's top and middle-order configurations.
All-round options add necessary depth to the playing eleven, with Ahmed Hussain and Hasnain Abbas Dar included for their ability to contribute effectively with both bat and ball. Their versatility will give the team management tactical flexibility when selecting combinations against diverse opponents.
Pace bowling duties will be spearheaded by a four-man seam attack comprising Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Seyam, Ali Raza, and Rizwanullah. These fast bowlers have shown the ability to generate genuine pace and extract movement from the surface.
The spin department relies on the craft of left-arm wrist-spinner Mohammad Huzaifa alongside frontline left-arm orthodox spinner Niqab Shafiq. Slow bowlers traditionally play a pivotal role in subcontinental conditions across the region, making their economical spells and wicket-taking abilities vital.
Significantly, fourteen of the selected players were part of the national under-nineteen setup that secured an impressive 3-1 victory against England in a four-match Youth ODI series played in September. Only pace bowler Ali Raza and batter Huzaifa Ahsan are new additions to this core group.
Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside traditional rivals India, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates in the eight-team regional competition. Group B consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, setting up a competitive tournament structure.
The title defenders will commence their group fixtures by facing the United Arab Emirates on 6 November at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground 2. A high-profile fixture against arch-rivals India follows on 8 November at OCA Ground 1.
The final group fixture for the Pakistan side will see them lock horns with Nepal on 10 November at the same venue. All group matches involving the green shirts are scheduled to commence at 10:00 AM Pakistan Standard Time.
The top teams from the group stages will progress to the knockout phase, with both semi-finals slated to be played on 12 November. The tournament will culminate with the grand final scheduled for 14 November, where the new continental champions will be crowned.
Reflecting on past achievements, Pakistan lifted the previous ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup trophy in style by defeating India in a one-sided final. That comprehensive victory saw the team triumph by a massive margin of 191 runs at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.
The team management supporting the squad includes experienced professionals to guide the youngsters through the international tournament. Shahid Anwar has been appointed as the head coach and team manager to oversee overall preparations and tactical execution.
Former international fast bowler Rao Iftikhar Anjum joins the coaching staff as the fast bowling coach, working closely with the pace unit. Zohaib Khan takes charge as the spin bowling coach, focusing on refining the tactical variations of the slow-bowling department.
Humayun Farhat serves as the fielding coach, ensuring high standards of athleticism and agility are maintained on the field. The support staff also features physiotherapist Ubaid Ullah, trainer Ibrar Ahmed, and performance analyst Ali Hamza to monitor fitness and data.
The announcement highlights the board's continuous focus on nurturing age-group cricket talent to build a strong pipeline for the senior national team. Performances in upcoming continental events serve as vital stepping stones for the professional development of these rising stars.
Oman's modern cricket infrastructure is expected to provide ideal playing conditions for all participating nations throughout the ten-day competition. Grounds in Muscat have previously hosted various international fixtures and development tournaments successfully.
As the countdown to the opening match continues, the squad will finalise their training camps and tactical sessions before departing for Muscat. Expectations remain high for the defending champions as they aim to replicate their past dominance on Asian soil.
The full list of players traveling to Oman reflects rigorous selection processes conducted by national selectors. With experienced mentors overseeing the camp, the squad aims to execute their game plans effectively against top-tier junior opponents from across Asia.
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