ISLAMABAD: Reigning Asian champions Pakistan Under-19 will launch their ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 campaign against England in the tournament opener on Friday at the Takashinga Sports Club, Harare, as the green shirts aim to extend a remarkable run of form on the global stage.
Fresh from a dominant ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup triumph in Dubai, highlighted by a crushing 191-run victory over arch-rivals India in the final. Pakistan also arrive in Zimbabwe on the back of a successful tri-nation series, where they outclassed the hosts by nine wickets. Brimming with confidence, Pakistan will be keen to convert their momentum into a third major title in quick succession.
Twice champions of the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup, having lifted the trophy in 2004 and 2006, Pakistan are now chasing a historic third crown, a feat that would further cement their reputation as one of the most consistent nurseries of world-class cricketing talent.
Following the group stage, the Super Six round will be contested across Bulawayo and Harare from 24 January to 1 February. The top four teams will progress to the semi-finals scheduled for 3 and 4 February, with the grand final set to take place at the iconic Harare Sports Club on Friday, 6 February.
With a rich legacy, a balanced squad and winning confidence on their side, Pakistan’s young guns will be determined to make a strong statement from the very first ball as they embark on another quest for U19 World Cup glory.
Ahead of the mega event, Pakistan U19 took part in training sessions and played two warm-up matches to fine-tune their preparations. The first warm-up match against Bangladesh on Saturday was washed out, with only 36.3 overs of Bangladesh’s innings possible at the Masvingo Sports Club. Pakistan then defeated USA by 69 runs in their second warm-up match at the Bulawayo Athletic Club on Tuesday. Among the 15-member squad, which will be led by Farhan Yousaf, only Ali Raza featured in the 2024 edition of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup. The right-arm fast bowler took nine wickets in the event, where Pakistan lost to Australia by one wicket in the semi-final.
Pakistan team reached Harare Wednesday from Bulawayo and will hold a training session on Thursday as they prepare for their opening fixture. Farhan Yousaf, said; “The U19 camp in Multan helped us perform well in the Asia Cup and the tri-series. The same support staff has been working with us for the last six months and it is now paying dividends ahead of the ICC event.
“We have prepared well for the mega event. The players share a strong bond as we have been together for the last six months. “The tri-series and the warm-up match against USA helped us understand the conditions here and we are now all set to do well in the World Cup.”
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
16 January – Pakistan v England, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
19 January – Pakistan v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
22 January – Zimbabwe v Pakistan, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
