Hafeez challenges the Under-19 selection logic
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has questioned how the Pakistan U-19 side was chosen for the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup in Oman, arguing that the age-group stage should sharpen young talent rather than be treated mainly as a path to tournament wins. Writing on X, he said Under-19 cricket is a development phase and noted that almost 400 players take part in regional Under-19 events each year. Selecting already seasoned players again and again “just for a win,” he warned, can dent the hopes of many aspiring cricketers, while he still offered his best wishes for Pakistan cricket.
Pakistan U-19 squad for Oman
The Pakistan Cricket Board has named a 15-member squad for the tournament, to be played in Oman from 5 to 14 November, with Farhan Yousaf retained as captain. Ten players from last year’s Under-19 Asia Cup squad have been given another chance. The group includes Farhan Yousaf (captain), Abdul Qadir (wicketkeeper), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Raza, Hamza Zahoor (wicketkeeper), Hasnain Abbas Dar, Hayyam Khan, Huzaifa Ahsan, Jahangir Bilal, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohammad Saim, Niqab Shafiq, Rizwanullah and Usman Khan.
Fast bowler Ali Raza has been part of Pakistan’s age-group sides since the 2024 Under-19 World Cup and has also represented Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League. Farhan Yousaf has already captained Pakistan at the 2024 Asia Cup and at the 2026 Under-19 World Cup. Pakistan beat India in the final to win the 2025 Under-19 Asia Cup title.
Shaheens named for Rising Stars in Qatar
Separately, the board has announced the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026, to be held in Qatar from 19 to 29 November. Abdul Samad will captain the side. The batting group includes Hassan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Shamil Hussain, Haider Ali, Shahzaib Khan and Farhan Yousaf. Rohail Nazir will keep wicket, with spinners Danish Aziz, Saad Masood and Sufiyan Muqeem in the party, and fast bowlers Mohammad Hasnain, Imran Randhawa, Aqib Javed and Ahmed Daniyal also selected.
The event will be played in the one-day format among eight teams. Pakistan Shaheens are in Group B and will meet the United Arab Emirates on 20 November, India A on 22 November and Nepal on 24 November. Semi-finals are set for 26 and 27 November, with the final on 29 November. Apart from their first match, Shaheens will play under lights. They are defending champions of the Rising Stars competition in both the one-day and T20 formats.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 2024: Ali Raza featured in Pakistan’s Under-19 World Cup setup; Farhan Yousaf captained Pakistan at the Asia Cup age-group level.
- 2025: Pakistan beat India in the Under-19 Asia Cup final to take the title.
- 2026: Farhan Yousaf captained Pakistan at the Under-19 World Cup.
- 28 October 2026: Mohammad Hafeez publicly questioned retaining developed Under-19 players mainly for wins.
- 5–14 November 2026: ACC Under-19 Asia Cup scheduled in Oman, with Farhan Yousaf leading a 15-member Pakistan U-19 squad.
- 19–29 November 2026: Asia Cup Rising Stars in Qatar; Shaheens play UAE (20 Nov), India A (22 Nov) and Nepal (24 Nov), with semis on 26–27 Nov and the final on 29 Nov.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan ki Under-19 team Oman mein Asia Cup khelne ja rahi hai, captain Farhan Yousaf hain. Pichhle saal wale 10 players dubara select hue hain. Mohammad Hafeez ne kaha ke sirf jeet ke liye bar-bar tajurbekar players lene se naye khilariyon ki umeedain kamzor ho sakti hain. Shaheens ka squad bhi Qatar Rising Stars ke liye announce ho chuka hai, jahan Abdul Samad captain hain.
