Defending champions Pakistan open their U19 Asia Cup 2026 campaign in Muscat on Friday against the United Arab Emirates, a day after the eight-team junior continental tournament began in Oman.
The Pakistan Under-19 side left for Oman on Thursday morning as title-holders from the previous edition, which they won in Dubai on 21 December 2025. Captain Farhan Yousaf leads a squad that prepared in Karachi with work on fitness, fielding and match situations before departure.
Groups and Friday’s opener
Eight regional sides are split into two pools. Group A places Pakistan alongside eight-time champions India, Nepal and the UAE. Group B comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan’s first assignment is against the UAE on Friday. That Pakistan vs UAE U19 Asia Cup fixture starts the green-shirts’ bid to retain the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup crown among traditional regional rivals that also include India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan over the course of the event.
Opening day in Muscat
The 13th edition of the Under-19 Junior Asia Cup got under way on Thursday in Muscat. Early league games included Malaysia against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan against Bangladesh in Group B.
India, captained by Lakshya Rajchandani and featuring young players such as Aaryavir Sehwag and Anvay Dravid, also begin on Friday, meeting Nepal in their first Group A match.
PCB stance and title defence
The Pakistan Cricket Board said it was confident in the young side, describing a balanced mix of batting, pace and spin and judging the team capable of defending the title won last year. Several players in the Pakistan U19 team had already stood out in domestic Under-19 and emerging cricket before the Oman trip.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 21 December 2025: Pakistan lift the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup trophy in Dubai.
- Ahead of departure (Karachi): The Pakistan U19 squad completes a preparatory camp focused on fitness, fielding and match scenarios.
- Thursday morning, 5 November 2026: The team departs for Oman to defend the title.
- Thursday, 5 November 2026: The U19 Asia Cup 2026 opens in Muscat; Malaysia face Sri Lanka and Afghanistan face Bangladesh.
- Friday: Pakistan open against the UAE; India open against Nepal.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan ki U19 team Oman mein U19 Asia Cup 2026 khelne gayi hai. Woh pichhle saal ke champions hain aur pehla match Friday ko UAE ke khilaf hai. Captain Farhan Yousaf hain. Fans ke liye yeh title defence follow karne wali shuruaat hai.
