Asian champions Pakistan Under-19 begin their ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 campaign with confidence, momentum and a familiar guiding presence as they take on England in the tournament opener on Friday at the Takashinga Sports Club, Harare.
Pakistan arrive in southern Africa on the back of an impressive build-up. They recently lifted the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup in Dubai, dismantling arch-rivals India by 191 runs in the final, before adding further silverware by beating hosts Zimbabwe in a tri-series.
It is the kind of preparation Pakistan’s youth sides have not always enjoyed, and it has injected quiet belief into a squad eyeing a third U19 World Cup title, after triumphs in 2004 and 2006.
Hovering in the background is Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former Pakistan captain whose influence on this group has been unmistakable. Appointed manager and mentor, Sarfaraz has been a constant presence in training camps and match build-ups, passing on lessons from his own journey through age-group cricket to international success.
Players speak of his emphasis on discipline, awareness in pressure moments and the value of winning “ugly” when conditions demand it – themes that could prove decisive in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The squad, led by Farhan Yousaf, is largely inexperienced at World Cup level, with only fast bowler Ali Raza having featured in the 2024 edition. But that inexperience has been offset by continuity. The same coaching group has worked with the players for over six months, creating cohesion that showed during the Asia Cup and the tri-series.
Among those to watch is Karachi all-rounder Huzaifa Ehsan, whose ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds balance to Pakistan’s XI. He has impressed the management with his adaptability in different conditions and could be crucial on the slower surfaces at Takashinga.
Spinner Niqab Shafiq is another key figure in the mix. A young left-arm option, he offers control in the middle overs and the ability to exploit any turn on offer – an asset in long tournaments where variety often makes the difference.
Pakistan fine-tuned their preparations with two warm-up matches: one against Bangladesh that was washed out and a comprehensive 69-run win over USA in Bulawayo, which helped the side settle into local conditions. They travel to Harare on Wednesday and will hold a final training session on Thursday ahead of the England clash.
Placed in Group C, Pakistan will also face Scotland on January 19 and Zimbabwe on January 22, with the Super Six stage beginning on January 24. With momentum, a settled support staff and Sarfaraz Ahmed’s steady hand, Pakistan’s Under-19s believe they are ready to turn promise into a deep World Cup run.
15-member squad: Farhan Yousaf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hasan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan (wk), Niqab Shafiq, Sameer Minhas and Umar Zaib
