Rohail retained Pakistan U19 captain for South Africa tour
Pakistan have made as many as five changes in the squad for the tour of South Africa
(Web Desk) – Wicketkeeper-batsman Rohail Nazir of Islamabad has been retained as Pakistan U19 captain for the upcoming tour of South Africa, which will comprise seven 50-over matches from 22 June to 7 July.
Nazir was Pakistan s vice-captain in the U-19 World Cup in New Zealand last year, where his side finished third. He took the helm in the Asia Cup towards the end of 2018.
The wicketkeeper-batsman, who hails from Islamabad, was adjudged as the player of the series for scoring 320 runs across five one-dayers against Sri Lanka.
"I am honoured that the selectors have continued to trust in my abilities and I will try my best to justify the confidence they have entrusted on me," Nazir said at the occasion.
Pakistan have made as many as five changes in the squad for the tour of South Africa where the next year s U-19 World Cup (from January 17 to February 9) is to be held. To ensure that selected players are eligible for the tournament, all players born on or after 1 September 2000 have been selected.
Khayyam Khan, Mohammad Junaid, Mohammad Taha, Niaz Khan and Suleman Shafqat have paved the way for Amir Ali, Fahad Munir, Irfan Niazi, Mohammad Amir and Naseem Shah who were reserves list for the Sri Lanka tour.
In Sri Lanka, Khayyam scored 23 runs in two matches, Junaid scored 63 runs and took seven wickets in five matches with his off-spinners, Taha aggregated 70 runs in five matches, Niaz scored 12 runs and took one wicket in three matches, and Suleman scored one run and failed to take a wicket in two appearances.
The side includes Haider Ali and Qasim Akram, who scored 214 and 124 runs, respectively in Sri Lanka as well as fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim and Akhtar Shah, who took seven and six wickets, respectively.
"The South Africa tour will be another challenging tour, but it is good for our development, growth and preparations that we play as many tough opponents as possible," said Nazir.
"With the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 to be held in South Africa, I don t think the tour could have been better planned as it will help us earn some local knowledge, further improve our skills and upon return work on our weaknesses so that we are better prepared for the World Cup."
Prior to their departure for South Africa, the Pakistan U-19 side will undergo training at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore from 11-14 June.
Squad (in alphabetical order):
1. Rohail Nazir (captain, wicketkeeper) (Islamabad)
2. Haider Ali (vice-captain) (Rawalpindi)
3. Abbas Afridi (FATA)
4. Akhtar Shah (Quetta)
5. Amir Ali (Larkana)
6. Basit Ali (Multan)
7. Fahad Munir (Lahore)
8. Irfan Niazi (Faisalabad)
9. Mohammad Amir (Peshawar)
10. Mohammad Haris (Peshawar)
11. Mohammad Wasim (FATA)
12. Naseem Shah (Lahore)
13. Qasim Akram (Lahore)
14. Saim Ayub (Karachi)
15. Shiraz Khan (Rawalpindi)
Reserves: Khayyam Khan (Abbottabad); Mohammad Junaid (Quetta); Mohammad Taha (Karachi); Niaz Khan (Peshawar) and Suleman Shafqat (Faisalabad).
