Pakistan U19 team leaves for England tour

LAHORE: Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team has departed Lahore for England, beginning an important tour that will give the country’s emerging cricketers valuable exposure against England’s young side.

The 15-member squad, led by Farhan Yousaf, left Lahore on Sunday, August 30, for the tour. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has scheduled one Youth Test and four Youth One-Day Internationals during the visit.

The tour will begin with a four-day Youth Test from September 2 to 5 at the historic Arundel Castle Cricket Ground. The match will provide both teams with an opportunity to test their red-ball skills in English conditions.

The four-match Youth ODI series will then get underway on September 9, also at Arundel.

The second ODI will be played at Guildford on September 12, before the teams move to Wormsley for the final two matches on September 14 and 16.

Farhan returns as captain after leading Pakistan to the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup title last year. He will be supported by a squad that includes several players who have already represented Pakistan at Under-19 level, while six members are in line to make their international youth debuts.

The bowling attack includes four pacers — Mohammad Sayyam, Abdul Subhan, Rizwanullah and Umar Zaib — while Mohammad Huzaifa and Niqab Shafiq provide left-arm spin options.

The squad completed a training camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore before departing. Head coach Shahid Anwar and his support staff will oversee the young side during the tour.

With the England tour offering five competitive matches, Pakistan’s young players will be looking to make a strong impression and gain experience that could prove valuable in their future international careers.