PCB announce 15-member squad for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced the 15-man squad for the upcoming edition of the ICC U19 World Cup. The 2018 edition of the ICC U19 World Cup will be played in New Zealand. As many as 16 teams will be participating in the mega event. This will be the third instance when New Zealand would be hosting the tournament. The premier youth tournament commences on January 13, 2018 and will run for about 20 days with the finals to be played on February 3, 2018.

PCB is leaving no stone unturned in naming the best possible combinations for the tournament. Pakistan has been one of the most consistent sides when it comes to the U19 levels. Also, their youth team has shown great improvements. They had recently made it to the finals of the ACC U19 Asia Cup. Pakistan are grouped with Afghanistan, Ireland, and Sri Lanka in the Group D of the tournament fixtures.

They will be playing their first game on January 13 against Afghanistan U19 side. While the senior team is focusing a great deal on fitness, it is expected that the U19 team will also have its eyes on the same. The PCB have named Hassan Khan as the captain and Rohail Nazir will be his deputy. It is interesting to see a lot of members of this 15-man squad had recently participated in the ACC U19 Asia Cup too.

Prior to the commencement of the tournament proper, the Pakistan U19 will get their share of preparations. They will take on the Australia U19s in a 3-match series. The 3 matches will be played on December 27, December 29, and December 31. Following this, they will take on New Zealand in two matches scheduled to be played on January 3 and January 5.

Pakistan U19 Squad for the ICC U19 World Cup 2018:

Hassan Khan (c), Rohail Nazir (VC and WK), Mohsin Khan, Imran Shah, Zaid Alam, Muhammad Taha, Emmad Alam, Ali Zaryab, Saad Khan, Musa Khan, Shaheen Shah, Munir Riaz, Arshad Iqbal, Muhammad Ali, Suleman Shafqat.

Reserved Players:

Muhammad Junaid, Haider Ali, Muhammed Ilyas, Azam Khan, Mukhtair Ahmad (wk).