Naseem Shah named in Pakistan's squad for 2020 U19 World Cup
Naseem Shah will feature in Pakistan's 15-member squad for ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020.
LAHORE (Web Desk) - Naseem Shah, the 16-year-old, who recently made his Test debut against Australia in Brisbane, will feature in Pakistan s 15-member squad for ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020, which begins on 17 January in Kimberley.
The squad will be led by wicketkeeper-batsman Rohail Nazir, who had also featured in the tournament s previous edition in 2018. Nazir has been a consistent performer over the past few seasons and topped the run-scoring charts in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019 with 302 runs from five innings to help his side clinch the title.
Apart from Naseem, the squad also has Amir Khan and Tahir Hussain as the other two specialist quicks. Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Haider Ali and Mohammad Shehzad comprise the team s top-order, with Ali being appointed as the vice-captain.
The middle order boasts of Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Huraira and Mohammad Irfan Khan. Huraira was the top-scorer in the PCB U19 One-Day Tournament with 342 runs, while Haris and Irfan were among the runs in the ACC U19 Asia Cup in September this year. Amir Ali and Arish Ali Khan will spearhead the spin department alongside all-rounders Fahad Munir and Qasim Akram, while Abbas Afridi fits in as the lone seam bowling all-rounder.
"I want to congratulate all the players on their selection in the Pakistan squad for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020," Saleem Jaffar, chairman of the junior selection committee, said. "I know some of the players will be disappointed at not being picked, but it was a tough task as we had a pool of some very exciting and exceptionally talented players to choose from.
"I would encourage all the players who have missed out on selection to remain positive and motivated as I am confident there will be opportunities for them down the road."
Pakistan are placed in Group C alongside Scotland, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the competition. Their campaign gets underway against Scotland on 19 January in Potchefstroom.
They have triumphed twice in the event previously, in 2004 and 2006 and have finished runners-up on three occasions. In the previous edition in 2018, they went down to eventual champions India in the semi-final.
Full Squad: Rohail Nazir (c), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Haider Ali, Mohammad Shehzad, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Fahad Munir, Qasim Akram, Amir Ali, Arish Ali Khan, Amir Khan, Naseem Shah, Tahir Hussain.
