Pakistan Cricket Board Junior Selection Committee Chairman Saleem Jafar announced team today at Gaddafi stadium Lahore.
Central Punjab all-rounder Qasim Akram has been appointed as the captain of the 15-player Pakistan U19 squad for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place in January-February 2022 in the West Indies. Additionally, Qasim will lead the team in the U19 Asia Cup, set to be held in the UAE later this month.
The junior selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board extended invitations to 21 high-performing cricketers born on or after 1 September 2002 (meeting the eligibility criteria) for a training camp in Lahore. This camp, which commenced last week, aims to prepare the squad for participation in the upcoming U19 World Cup and U19 Asia Cup tournaments.
Besides the final 15 for both events, the squad also includes two travelling reserves who will be part of the touring party for both tournaments.
The squad comprises four players who participated in the previous U19 World Cup held in South Africa in January-February 2020, where Pakistan secured a third-place finish. Qasim, along with openers Abdul Wahid Bangalzai and Mohammad Shehzad, and middle-order batter Irfan Khan Niazi, were part of the squad in the South Africa event.
After the 2020 event, Qasim demonstrated impressive performances for Central Punjab across all three formats during the 2020-21 domestic season, his debut season. Abdul Wahid showcased his prowess with a double-century for Balochistan in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, in addition to standout batting displays in the National T20 tournament.
Irfan showcased his skills for Central Punjab in the National T20, establishing himself as a clean striker of the ball. Shehzad also impressed, emerging as one of the most prolific batters in the 2021-22 U19 one-day and three-day events.
In addition to the quartet, the squad features promising spinners like Faisal Akram (left-arm-wrist-spinner), Ali Asfand (left-arm-spinner), Mehran Mumtaz (left-arm-spinner), and Arham Nawab (off-spinner). Faisal represented Southern Punjab in the National T20.
Abdul Faseeh, Haseebullah, Rizwan Mehmood, and Maaz Sadaqat showcased their batting prowess in the domestic U19 circuit. Pacers Ahmed Khan, Awais Ali, and Zeeshan Zameer have also impressed the selectors and coaches with their potential.
Pakistan Shaheens and U19 head coach Ijaz Ahmed will oversee the support staff during the two tours.
Chairman Junior Selection Committee Saleem Jaffer: “Selection of U19 squads is always one of the most challenging and difficult tasks due to the available pool of talent. And this selection was no different, but we have tried to pick the best available 17 players who can help Pakistan win the World Cup for the country.”
“The PCB has prepared a robust plan for pathways cricket and I can assure all teenage cricketers who have missed out on selection this time that they will get a chance at some stage down the line.”
“I want to congratulate the 17 players who have made into the squad for the UAE and the West Indies tournaments. I remain confident that this side has the capability and potential to do well in both the upcoming events.”
Squad (in alphabetical order):
Qasim Akram (captain, Central Punjab), Abdul Faseeh (Northern), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Balochistan),
Ahmed Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Ali Asfand (Central Punjab), Arham Nawab (Central Punjab), Awais Ali (Central Punjab), Faisal Akram (Southern Punjab), Haseebullah (wicketkeeper, Balochistan), Irfan Khan Niazi (Central Punjab), Maaz Sadaqat (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mehran Mumtaz (Northern)
Mohammad Shehzad (Southern Punjab), Rizwan Mehmood (Sindh) and Zeeshan Zameer (Sindh)
Traveling reserves: Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper, Sindh), Mohammad Zeeshan (Central Punjab).
Support staff: Ijaz Ahmed (Head coach), Rao Iftikhar Anjum (Bowling coach), Mohtashim Rasheed (Fielding coach), Mohammad Javed (Strength and Conditioning coach), Waleed Ahmed (Analyst), Hafiz Naeem-ul-Rasool (physiotherapist) and Taimur Azam (Manager).
