Malaysia field first against Pakistan in U19 Asia Cup opener

DUBAI (Dunya News) – Malaysian have won the toss and decided to field first against Pakistan in opening match of the ACC U19 Asia Cup today (Friday) at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai.

Pakistan, who are placed in Group ‘A’ of the eight-team 50-over tournament, will take on India in their second group match on Sunday, 14 December, while their final group match will be against the UAE on Tuesday, 16 December.

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka are part of Group ‘B’.

Top two sides from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be staged on Friday, 19 December, and the final will take place on Sunday, 21 December.

All 15 matches will begin at 9am local time, with The Sevens Stadium hosting seven matches and the ICC Academy Ground staging eight matches, including the final.

Among the 15-member squad, which will be led by Farhan Yousaf, six players featured in last year’s ACC U19 Asia Cup held in the UAE, where Pakistan lost to Bangladesh in the semi-final. Besides Farhan, Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Raza, Mohammad Huzaifa and Usman Khan were part of the previous event.

Left-handed Usman, who is also the vice-captain of the side, scored 101 runs from three matches in last year’s event, including a half-century. Right-arm fast bowler Abdul Subhan was Pakistan’s most successful bowler in the last edition, taking nine wickets from three matches, with six for 57 his best figures. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Huzaifa, who featured in only one match in last year’s Asia Cup, took five wickets for just eight runs.

Pakistan 15-member squad

Farhan Yousaf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hassan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan (wk), Niqab Shafiq and Sameer Minhas