The Pakistani U19 team travels to Durban, South Africa on early Saturday morning. There will be seven games over 50 in Pietermaritzburg and Durban from 22 June to 7 July.
The series is part of the team’s preparation for next year’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020, which will be held from 17 January to 9 February 2020 in South Africa.
The 15-player squad consists of a series of exciting players who have done well in the recent 3-2 victory over Sri Lanka in Hambantota.
Captain and wicketkeeper / striker Rohail Nazir, who scored the first goal in the 50-over series against Sri Lanka with 320 runs, said: “The victory over Sri Lanka U19 has strengthened the players’ confidence in the South African series.
The victory gave us a great platform to perform well not only on the upcoming tour, but also this year’s ACC U19 Asia Cup 2019 in Sri Lanka, followed by the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020.
“The South Africa tour is well planned as the over-50s seven-game series will help players to learn more about the conditions and be better prepared for next year’s ICC U19 World Cricket Championships.”
On the return of fast bowler Naseem Shah following an injury, Rohail said: “Naseem and I have been playing cricket together since the U16. The inclusion of Naseem in the side will definitely give strength to the fast bowling department. He represented Pakistan last year in the Asian Cup, where he played in world-class cricket, and his experience will help the team in the tour. “
Team coach and manager Azam Khan said: “The series win over Sri Lanka has given players a chance to improve and learn, and this South Africa tour offers them the opportunity.
“We made some changes to the Sri Lanka tour to test our strength and find the right combination for the next international events.”
Naseem Shah, Lahore’s fast-arm bowler, was eliminated from cricket last October due to a back injury. The fast bowler worked with the National Cricket Academy as part of the rehabilitation process and is pleased to represent the Pakistani U19 again.
Naseem Shah said: “I feel very good and it is a great moment for me to play for the Pakistani U19 again. I’m grateful to the NCA coaches who really took good care of me. I’m fit now and looking forward to contributing to the team’s victory in the upcoming series. “
U-19 Team Squad
Rohail Nazir (captain, wicket-keeper) (Islamabad); Haider Ali (vice-captain) Abbas Afridi (FATA); Akhtar Shah (Quetta); Amir Ali (Larkana); Basit Ali (Multan); Fahad Munir (Lahore); Irfan Niazi (Faisalabad); Mohammad Amir (Peshawar);Mohammad Haris (Peshawar); Mohammad Wasim (FATA); Naseem Shah (Lahore); Qasim Akram (Lahore); Saim Ayub (Karachi); and Shiraz Khan (Rawalpindi)
Series Schedule
19 June – 50-over practice match v KZN Academy, Varsity Oval, Durban
22 June – 1st 50-over match v South Africa U19, Chatsworth Cricket Oval, Durban
RelatedPosts
25 June – 2nd 50-over match v South Africa U19, Pietermaritzburg Oval, Pietermaritzburg
27 June – 3rd 50-over match v South Africa U19, Pietermaritzburg Oval, Pietermaritzburg
30 June – 4th 50-over match v South Africa U19, Pietermaritzburg Oval, Pietermaritzburg
2 July – 5th 50-over match vs South Africa U19, Pietermaritzburg Oval, Pietermaritzburg
5 July – 6th 50-over match v South Africa U19, Chatsworth Cricket Oval, Durban
7 July – 7th 50-over match v South Africa U19, Chatsworth Cricket Oval, Durban
