Pakistan U19 Asia Cup squad named for Oman title defence
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026, with Farhan Yousuf set to lead the side in Oman from 5 to 14 November.
Defending champions Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the eight-team tournament. They will begin their title defence against the UAE on 6 November, before facing India on 8 November and Nepal on 10 November.
The squad in full
Farhan Yousuf captains the side. The squad includes two wicketkeeper-batters, Abdul Qadir and Hamza Zahoor, and four specialist batters in Usman Khan, Hayam Khan, Jahangir Bilal and Huzaifa Ahsan.
Ahmed Hussain and Hasnain Abbas Dar provide the all-round options. The pace attack comprises Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Seyam, Ali Raza and Rizwanullah, while the spin department features left-arm wrist-spinner Mohammad Huzaifa and left-arm spinner Niqab Shafiq.
The full squad is: Farhan Yousuf (captain), Abdul Qadir (wicketkeeper), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Raza, Hamza Zahoor (wicketkeeper), Hasnain Abbas Dar, Hayam Khan, Huzaifa Ahsan, Jahangir Bilal, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohammad Seyam, Niqab Shafiq, Rizwanullah and Usman Khan.
The selectors have largely retained the squad that beat England 3-1 in a four-match Youth ODI series in September. Only Ali Raza and Huzaifa Ahsan were not part of that series side, which makes this a settled group rather than a fresh experiment.
Support staff
Shahid Anwar will carry the dual role of head coach and team manager for the tournament. Rao Iftikhar Anjum is the fast-bowling coach, Zohaib Khan is the spin-bowling coach, and Humayun Farhat is the fielding coach.
Ubaid Ullah is the physiotherapist, Ibrar Ahmed is the trainer, and Ali Hamza is the performance analyst.
Pakistan’s fixtures
All of Pakistan’s group matches begin at 10am Pakistan Standard Time (PKT).
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 6 November | Pakistan v UAE | OCA Ground 2 |
| 8 November | Pakistan v India | OCA Ground 1 |
| 10 November | Pakistan v Nepal | OCA Ground 1 |
| 12 November | Semi-finals | To be confirmed |
| 14 November | Final | To be confirmed |
Group B comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The semi-finals will be played on 12 November, with the final scheduled for 14 November.
Defending a title won in style
Pakistan head into the tournament as defending champions after clinching the previous edition in the United Arab Emirates. They defeated India by 191 runs in a one-sided final at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.
That result sets the tone for this campaign. The 8 November meeting with India will be the group-stage match that draws the most attention, but the opener against the UAE on 6 November comes first, and a slip there would put early pressure on the side.
The September series win over England is the other form guide. A 3-1 Youth ODI series victory showed that this group can win consistently, and 13 of the 15 players in Oman were part of that success.
Arab News reported that the team will depart Karachi for Oman on 29 October, giving the squad a week in Oman before the tournament begins on 5 November.
What to watch
Three things will shape Pakistan’s campaign. The first is the top order: with two wicketkeeper-batters and four specialist batters, the side has depth, but youth tournaments often turn on one or two big innings.
The second is the pace attack. Four specialist fast bowlers give the side options on Omani pitches, and Ali Raza, one of the two new faces, will be watched closely.
The third is the India match on 8 November. Pakistan beat India heavily in the last final, and India will arrive in Oman with that defeat in mind. The group standings may still allow both sides through, but the result will set the mood for the knockout rounds.
Who captains Pakistan at the U19 Asia Cup 2026?
Farhan Yousuf captains the 15-member squad announced by the PCB on 27 October 2026.
When and where is the tournament played?
The ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 runs from 5 to 14 November in Oman, with Pakistan’s group matches starting at 10am PKT.
Who are Pakistan’s group opponents?
Pakistan are in Group A with India, Nepal and the UAE. They play the UAE on 6 November, India on 8 November and Nepal on 10 November.
How did Pakistan win the last edition?
Pakistan beat India by 191 runs in the final at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai to win the previous edition in the United Arab Emirates.
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- Geo Super, “Defending champions Pakistan announce squad for ACC U19 Asia Cup 2026” (27 October 2026): https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/60778-defending-champions-pakistan-announce-squad-for-acc-u19-asia-cup-2026
- Tribune, “Pakistan announce squad for U19 Asia Cup” (27 October 2026): https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637194/pakistan-announce-squad-for-u19-asia-cup
