Bulawayo (Sports News): Pakistan U19 will take on USA U19 in their second warm-up match of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup at the Bulawayo Athletic Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on Tuesday. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 9.30am local time, with the toss scheduled at 9am.
Pakistan team held a training session at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Monday, where the players took part in net sessions as well as fielding drills for three hours. Pakistan, who are placed in Group C of the mega event, saw their first warm-up match on Saturday against Bangladesh washed out, with only 36.3 overs of Bangladesh’s innings possible at the Masvingo Sports Club.
The 16-team tournament is scheduled to take place from 15 January to 6 February in Namibia and Zimbabwe. Champions of the 2004 and 2006 ICC U19 editions, Pakistan will face England in their opening fixture at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare on 16 January.
Pakistan will enter the mega event on the back of winning two tournaments – the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup and the U19 tri-series. Pakistan defeated India by 191 runs in Dubai to clinch the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup title, while they beat hosts Zimbabwe by nine wickets in Harare to secure the tri-series trophy.
Looking ahead to the team’s preparations for the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup, head coach Shahid Anwar, said:
“The players’ strong performances in the past have boosted their confidence, which is very encouraging. Our preparations are progressing well and everything has been planned with the objective of winning the World Cup.
“We are fortunate to have this group of players and all the coaches feel equally privileged. One in-built quality in these boys is that they never give up and continue to fight till the last ball.
“The teamwork within the group is outstanding, with everyone complementing each other. Unity, faith and discipline remain our core values.
“The entire coaching staff works with the players individually, focusing on their natural strengths and enhancing their super strengths. If we continue to rely on our strengths against any opponent, I am confident we will achieve positive results.”
15-member squad:
Farhan Yousaf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hasan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan (wk), Niqab Shafiq, Sameer Minhas and Umar Zaib
ICC U19 World Cup Pakistan fixtures:
16 January – Pakistan v England, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
19 January – Pakistan v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
22 January – Zimbabwe v Pakistan, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
24 January to 1 February – Super 6 matches
3 February – First semi-final, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
4 February – Second semi-final, Harare Sports Club, Harare
6 February – Final, Harare Sports Club, Harare
