Farhan Yousuf has been named captain of Pakistan’s U19 cricket team for the upcoming ACC U19 Asia Cup, with Usman Khan appointed as his deputy, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Tuesday. The 50-over, eight-team tournament will take place in Dubai from December 12-21, providing the team with crucial preparation ahead of the ICC U19 World Cup, scheduled in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, 2026.
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Pakistan has been placed in Group ‘A’ alongside India, Qualifier 1, and Qualifier 3. Group ‘B’ will feature Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Qualifier 2, and Sri Lanka. In the last edition of the tournament, Pakistan reached the semi-finals before being eliminated by Bangladesh.
The team will kick off their campaign against Qualifier 3 on December 12 at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai. Their second group match is scheduled against India on December 14 at the ICC Academy Ground, followed by their final group fixture against Qualifier 1 on December 16 at the same venue. The semi-finals are set for December 19, with the final to be held on December 21.
Farhan Yousuf, who represented Pakistan in last year’s tournament, recently captained Lahore Region Whites in the National Men’s U19 Cup, scoring 369 runs in seven matches, including a century and two half-centuries. His deputy, Usman Khan, also had an impressive campaign for FATA in the National Men’s U19 Cup, amassing 429 runs from seven matches, including two centuries and a half-century. Usman had previously scored a century in the last edition of the ACC U19 Asia Cup.
The Pakistan U19 squad will begin a training camp in Karachi today, preparing intensively ahead of their departure to Dubai. The team aims to perform strongly in the Asia Cup and build momentum for the upcoming U19 World Cup.
