Shakeel Ur Rehman
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member Pakistan U19 squad for the upcoming tour of England, which begins on 2 September with a solitary Youth Test at the historic Arundel Castle Cricket Ground.
Right-handed batter Farhan Yousaf, who led Pakistan to the ACC U19 Asia Cup title in December last year, will captain the side. The tour will also feature a four-match Youth ODI series against England.
Among the players to watch closely will be promising opener Usman Khan, who is expected to play an important role at the top of Pakistan’s batting order. Known for his ability to build innings and play attacking strokes, Usman will be one of Pakistan’s key hopes for a strong batting performance in English conditions. The tour presents him with an excellent opportunity to establish himself as a dependable opener and make a lasting impression at the U19 level.
The squad features a balanced combination of pace, spin, batting, wicketkeeping and all-round ability. The pace attack comprises Mohammad Sayyam, Abdul Subhan, Rizwanullah and Umar Zaib, while left-arm wrist-spinner Mohammad Huzaifa and left-arm spinner Niqab Shafiq provide the spin options.
Aliyan Salman, Ahmad Hussain, Jahangir Bilal and Hayam Khan add all-round depth to the squad, while Hamza Zahoor and Abdul Qadir have been selected as wicketkeepers. Farhan Yousaf, Usman Khan and Hasnain Abbas Dar are the designated batters.
The Pakistan U19 team recently completed a pre-tour training camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, concluding it with a two-day red-ball intra-squad match on Tuesday. The contingent will depart for England from Lahore on Sunday, 30 August.
Nine members of the squad—Farhan Yousaf, Abdul Subhan, Ahmad Hussain, Hamza Zahoor, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Huzaifa, Niqab Shafiq, Umar Zaib and Usman Khan—have already represented Pakistan U19. The remaining players are in line to make their debut for the national age-group side.
Shahid Anwar will serve as head coach, supported by Rao Iftikhar Anjum as fast bowling coach, Zohaib Khan as spin bowling coach and Humayun Farhat as fielding coach.
15-Member Pakistan U19 Squad
Farhan Yousaf (captain), Abdul Qadir, Abdul Subhan, Ahmad Hussain, Aliyan Salman, Hamza Zahoor, Hasnain Abbas Dar, Hayam Khan, Jahangir Bilal, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Huzaifa, Niqab Shafiq, Rizwanullah, Umar Zaib and Usman Khan.
Non-Travelling Reserves
Abbas Afridi, Ali Hasnain Badshah, Farhanullah, Hassan Khan and Ibtisam Azhar.
Support Staff
Shahid Anwar (head coach), Rao Iftikhar Anjum (fast bowling coach), Zohaib Khan (spin bowling coach), Humayun Farhat (fielding coach), Ubaid Ullah (physiotherapist), Ibrar Ahmed (trainer) and Ali Hamza (performance analyst).
Pakistan U19 Tour of England – Schedule
Youth Test
2–5 September
Arundel.
1st Youth ODI
9 September
Arundel.
2nd Youth ODI
12 September
Guildford.
3rd Youth ODI
14 September
Wormsley.
4th Youth ODI
16 September
Wormsley.
The England tour will provide Pakistan’s emerging cricketers with valuable exposure to English conditions. For Usman Khan, in particular, it will be a major opportunity to convert his promise into match-winning performances and strengthen his reputation as one of Pakistan’s exciting young opening prospects.
