Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has warned that U19 cricket development is harmed when teams prioritise wins over player growth. He said repeatedly selecting already-developed players just to secure victories risks shutting out aspiring cricketers.
Hafeez shared his views on social media platform X, stressing the role of age-group cricket in nurturing emerging talent and giving opportunities to players coming through the system.
“U-19 cricket is a development phase for age-group cricketers. Every year, almost 400 players participate in regional U-19 tournaments. Selecting developed players again and again just for a win can dent the hopes of many aspiring cricketers for the future. Nevertheless, best wishes as always for Pakistan cricket,” Hafeez wrote.
U19 cricket development warning from Hafeez
The former all-rounder’s remarks came after Pakistan announced its squad for the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026, which takes place in Oman from November 5 to 14. Pakistan enter the tournament as defending champions, preparing to retain the title they won in the United Arab Emirates.
Hafeez did not name any player in his remarks. His point was about the system rather than the squad: with almost 400 players taking part in regional Under-19 tournaments each year, the age-group pathway only works if new faces keep getting chances. When the same developed players are picked again and again, the pathway narrows, and younger players lose the matches they need to grow.
That argument carries weight because the Under-19 level is where Pakistan’s future senior players are found. A strong age-group system feeds the senior side; a narrow one leaves talent undiscovered.
Pakistan’s youth pipeline has been in the news this week for other reasons too, including Pakistan’s young footballers beating Tonga 6-1 at the U15 level.
Pakistan U19 Asia Cup 2026 squad and fixtures
Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates in the eight-team tournament. Farhan Yousuf will captain the side, whose full U19 Asia Cup squad for Oman was announced this week. The squad includes wicketkeeper-batters Abdul Qadir and Hamza Zahoor, batters Usman Khan, Hayam Khan, Jahangir Bilal and Huzaifa Ahsan, all-rounders Ahmed Hussain and Hasnain Abbas Dar, pace bowlers Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Seyam, Ali Raza and Rizwanullah, left-arm wrist-spinner Mohammad Huzaifa and left-arm spinner Niqab Shafiq.
Of the 15 players selected, only Ali Raza and Huzaifa Ahsan were absent from Pakistan’s Under-19 side that defeated England 3-1 in a four-match Youth ODI series in September. That continuity is the context for Hafeez’s caution about giving new players their turn.
Pakistan enter the tournament as defending champions after winning the previous edition in the United Arab Emirates. They defeated India by 191 runs in the final at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.
Pakistan begin their title defence against the UAE on November 6, before taking on India on November 8 and Nepal on November 10. All three group-stage matches begin at 10am Pakistan Standard Time. Group B comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The semi-finals will be held on November 12, with the final scheduled for November 14.
Pakistan’s senior side is heading into a tri-series final on Saturday, with former players backing Babar Azam despite a lean run and Sri Lanka warning of pace and aggression.
What happens next
The Asia Cup will test both Hafeez’s argument and the selectors’ choices. If Pakistan defend the title, the continuity policy will look justified. If younger players struggle for chances afterwards, his warning will look prescient.
Either way, the November 8 match against India will draw the most attention, but the games against the UAE and Nepal matter just as much for a side that must win its group to reach the semi-finals.
Frequently asked questions
What did Mohammad Hafeez say about U19 cricket?
He said U19 cricket is a development phase, and that selecting already-developed players again and again just for a win can dent the hopes of aspiring cricketers. Almost 400 players take part in regional U19 tournaments each year.
When is the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026?
The tournament runs from November 5 to 14 in Oman. Pakistan play the UAE on November 6, India on November 8 and Nepal on November 10, all at 10am PKT.
Who captains Pakistan’s U19 side?
Farhan Yousuf captains the 15-player squad, which includes Abdul Qadir, Hamza Zahoor, Ali Raza and Mohammad Huzaifa.
