Farhan Yousuf to lead Pakistan’s title defence as PCB names U19 Asia Cup squad for Oman

LAHORE — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday named a 15-member squad for the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026, with Farhan Yousuf appointed captain. The tournament runs from November 5 to 14 in Oman, where Pakistan will arrive as defending champions.

That tag is no formality. Pakistan thumped India by 191 runs in the final of the last edition in Dubai, and the two sides meet again in Group A, alongside Nepal and the United Arab Emirates. Group B is made up of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

UAE first, India on November 8
Pakistan open their title defence against the UAE on November 6 at OCA Ground 2. Then comes the fixture everyone circles: India, on November 8 at OCA Ground 1. The group stage wraps up against Nepal on November 10, back at OCA Ground 1. All three games start at 10am Pakistan time. The semi-finals are on November 12 and the final on November 14.

A settled squad, with two fresh faces
Wicketkeeper-batters Abdul Qadir and Hamza Zahoor are in, along with batters Usman Khan, Hayam Khan, Jahangir Bilal and Huzaifa Ahsan. Ahmed Hussain and Hasnain Abbas Dar provide the all-round options, while Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Seyam, Ali Raza and Rizwanullah form the pace attack. Left-arm wrist-spinner Mohammad Huzaifa and left-arm spinner Niqab Shafiq carry the spin department.

The selectors have, by and large, stuck with the side 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 squad. Shahid Anwar will double up as head coach and team manager, with Rao Iftikhar Anjum as fast-bowling coach, Zohaib Khan as spin-bowling coach and Humayun Farhat as fielding coach. Reports say the team leaves Karachi for Oman on October 29.