Farhan Yousaf to captain Pakistan U-19 on England tour

Farhan Yousaf will captain Pakistan U-19 on their forthcoming tour of England, with the Pakistan Cricket Board confirming the appointment on Thursday. Yousaf guided Pakistan to the ACC U-19 Asia Cup crown last December and retains the captaincy as the national youth side prepares for a demanding assignment overseas.

The touring party comprises 15 players and is scheduled to fly out of Lahore on August 30. Action begins on September 2 when Pakistan face England in a solitary Youth Test at Arundel Castle Cricket Ground, after which the two sides will contest four Youth ODIs.

Before departure, the squad gathered at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore for a pre-tour camp. The preparation block wrapped up with a two-day red-ball intra-squad fixture on Tuesday, offering the players valuable match time ahead of the Youth Test.

Which players make up the Pakistan U-19 touring squad?

Nine members of the 15-member group have worn the Pakistan U-19 shirt before. Alongside captain Yousaf, those with prior experience at this level are Abdul Subhan, Ahmad Hussain, Hamza Zahoor, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Huzaifa, Niqab Shafiq, Umar Zaib and Usman Khan. The other six players will be stepping out in Pakistan U-19 colours for the first time if selected during the tour.

The pace department is covered by Sayyam, Subhan, Rizwanullah and Zaib, while the spin options rest with Mohammad Huzaifa, a left-arm wrist-spinner, and Niqab Shafiq, a left-arm spinner. The all-rounder slots are filled by Aliyan Salman, Ahmad Hussain, Jahangir Bilal and Hayam Khan.

Behind the stumps, Hamza Zahoor and Abdul Qadir share wicket-keeping duties. Yousaf, Usman Khan and Hasnain Abbas Dar are the specialist batters in the group. The PCB additionally named five players as non-travelling reserves, Abbas Afridi, Ali Hasnain Badshah, Farhanullah, Hassan Khan and Ibtisam Azhar.

Who will coach Pakistan U-19 during the England tour?

Shahid Anwar takes charge as head coach for the assignment. He is joined by Rao Iftikhar Anjum, who will handle fast bowling, Zohaib Khan, who will oversee spin bowling, and Humayun Farhat, who has been brought in as fielding coach.

Pakistan U19 squad for England tour:

Farhan Yousaf (captain), Abdul Qadir, Abdul Subhan, Ahmad Hussain, Aliyan Salman, Hamza Zahoor, Hasnain Abbas Dar, Hayam Khan, Jahangir Bilal, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Huzaifa, Niqab Shafiq, Rizwanullah, Umar Zaib and Usman Khan.