Pakistan announce World Cup squad, include players who shone with four-fer and century against India in Asia Cup

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed their squad for the upcoming Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2024 on Saturday, December 23. The team, to be led by 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, will compete in the 15th edition of the 50-over World Cup, which is scheduled to kick off from January 19, 2024, in South Africa.

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Both Ali Asfand and Mohammad Zeeshan, who played in the previous World Cup edition in the West Indies, are included in the squad. Saad also captained the team during the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2023 in the UAE, where Pakistan experienced an unexpected defeat in the first semifinal against the host nation. Azan Awais too will be featuring in Pakistan's 15-member strong squad.

Notably, Azan and Zeeshan played an instrumental role in helping Pakistan beat India in the ACC's Under-19 Asia Cup. Notably, Awais's unbeaten century and Zeeshan's four-wicket haul led to an eight-wicket victory over the India U-19 team.

“I want to congratulate the 15 players who have made it into the squad for South Africa and I am confident that this well-balanced side has the capability and potential to perform well in the World Cup," Chairman of Junior Selection Committee Sohail Tanvir said. “While picking the team, we have considered the conditions in South Africa where the pitches are conducive to pace bowling and have aimed to cover all bases."
 

Pakistan's squad for U-19 World Cup: Saad Baig (captain and wicketkeeper), Ali Asfand (vice-captain), Ali Raza, Ahmad Hassan, Amir Hassan, Arfat Minhas, Azan Awais, Haroon Arshad, Khubaib Khalil, Mohammad Zeeshan, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Muhammad Riazullah and Ubaid Shah.

Meanwhile, ahead of the World Cup, the India U-19 team is set to play a tri-series with South Africa and Afghanistan as announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The series, hosted by the Old Edwardians Cricket Club in Johannesburg, will kick off on December 19, with each team facing the others twice. India's U19 team, having been surprisingly defeated by Bangladesh in the semi-finals of the U19 Asia Cup 2023 – a tournament Bangladesh went on to win – is gearing up for the upcoming World Cup. Uday Saharan, a top-order batter from Rajasthan, will captain the young Indian squad, who are considered strong contenders to retain their title in South Africa.

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