Pakistan U17 squad announced for Sri Lanka series, Azan Ahmed named captain

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squad for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka Under-17, with 17-year-old leg-spinner Azan Ahmed appointed captain.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squad for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka Under-17, with 17-year-old leg-spinner Azan Ahmed appointed captain.

The Pakistan and Sri Lanka U17 teams will compete in a six-match series at Multan Cricket Stadium from October 9 to 24. The Sri Lankan team is scheduled to arrive in Multan on October 5 while both sides will hold practice sessions at the stadium from October 6 to 8.

Azan Ahmed has been rewarded for his impressive performances in the National Men’s U17 Cup, where he represented Rawalpindi earlier this year. The leg-spinner claimed 36 wickets in eight matches, including his best figures of four wickets for 28 runs. Under his leadership, Rawalpindi also won the tournament title after defeating Abbottabad by 125 runs in the final.

Following the National U17 Cup, 48 players were invited to a skills development camp in Faisalabad. Thirty players were subsequently shortlisted for the second phase of the camp. All 16 players selected for the Sri Lanka series have previously participated in the National U17 Cup.

The Pakistan U17 squad comprises captain Azan Ahmed, Abdullah Ahmed Butt, Arsalan Hassan, Dawood Tauqeer Rana, Fahad Iqbal, Hamid Raza, Hamza Abbas Baloch, Hassan Ali, Muhammad Isa Baloch, Muhammad Ehsan, Muhammad Naveed, Muhammad Saim, Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, Muhammad Yousaf, Sher Wali Khan and Sudais Ahmed.

The reserves are Ammar Khan, Imad Ali Shah, Nafees Akhtar and Saqib Khan.

The series will consist of one three-day match and five one-day matches. The three-day game will be played from October 9 to 11, followed by one-day matches on October 15, 17, 19, 21 and 24 at Multan Cricket Stadium.