KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has named a 15-member U-19 squad for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) tri-nation series.
Young star Mahboob Taskin would lead the team at the tri-series, featuring Afghanistan U-19, Pakistan U-19 and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) U-19.
The series is due to be played from November 13 to 26, ACB said in a statement.
ACB interim chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said: “Our selection process started with a camp for the top-performing players from the recent age-level domestic events. This was followed by rigorous training and preparations in multiple phases, which helped us finalise the final 15-member squad for the events ahead.
“The boys have undergone extensive training and shown great enthusiasm and readiness to perform at the international level, and we are confident the team will do well in both the Tri-Series and the Asia Cup,” he added.
<strong>Squad: </strong>
Mehboob Taskin (C), Hamza Alikhil (WK), Uzair Khan, Faisal Khan, Barakatullah Ibrahimzai, Ezatullah Barikzai, Aziz Miakhil, Nazeef Amiri, Abdul Aziz, Nasratullah Nooristani, Khatir Stanikzai, Fahim Khewawal, Hafeez Zadran, AM Ghazanfar and Naseer Khan Maroofkhil.
Rohullah Arab, Wahidullah Zadran and Salam Khan are among the stand by players.
The series will be hosted by the UAE and the matches would be played at the ICC Academy and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The series opener will be played between Pakistan U19 and the hosts on November 13.
The top two teams, after the first six games, will walk into the final, penciled in for November 26, according to the PCB release.
The series has been scheduled to prepare for the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 which will be played in December this year.
<strong>U19 tri-series fixtures:</strong>
13 November — Pakistan vs UAE
15 November — Afghanistan vs Pakistan
17 November — UAE vs Afghanistan
19 November — Pakistan vs Afghanistan
21 November — Afghanistan vs UAE
23 November — UAE vs Pakistan
26 November — Final
kk/mud
