Photo Credit: Pakistan Cricket Board
Saad Baig-led Pakistan U19 are set to play a four-day match against Sri Lanka U19 at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi from 15 October. The only four-day game is part of the multi-format tour undertaken by Sri Lanka U19 as it will be followed by five one-days at the same venue.
Saad also captained Pakistan U19 during their last assignment, which was the tour to Bangladesh earlier this year. In the solitary four-dayer played on the tour, Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 10 wickets at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. Shahzaib Khan was the star batter for Pakistan in the game with his 323-ball 174, which included 25 fours and four maximums. Other performers in the match included Ali Asfand (six wickets across two innings and 40, 56b, 8x4s), Azan Awais (40, 104b, 7x4s), Mohammad Ismail (five wickets across two innings) and Amir Hassan (four wickets).
“We will try to replicate the performance we produced against Bangladesh, in the last series we played,” Saad told PCB Digital. “We have trained well and hope to implement our preparations against the visitors while we are in the field.”
The Saad-led side look to carry the momentum gained from their previous success, and will be looking to bank on the advantage of familiar conditions that come with playing a home series.
“Since I live in Karachi and have played a lot of cricket here, I am familiar with the conditions. As a captain, that gives me confidence because I am comfortable with utilising the conditions,” the Pakistan U19 captain added.
Sri Lanka U19, who are touring Pakistan for the first time under Sineth Jayawardena’s captaincy, will be looking to secure a win against the home side at the National Bank Stadium. The last bilateral meeting between Pakistan U19 and Sri Lanka U19 was in 2019 when Pakistan toured the island nation for a five one-day series.
“I think the Pakistan have done really well in their series against Bangladesh. They are a really good side,” Jayawardena told PCB digital, “We are coming from a series against West Indies. The boys did really well and we won the series. Our batters and bowlers are in good form. We hope to give Pakistan a good fight during the series.”
This will be the first time the current Sri Lanka U19 team will be playing at the National Bank Stadium. The Sri Lankan captain added, “We have played in international cricket stadiums previously but playing in this historical stadium means a lot for us. It is a great opportunity for us.”
Pakistan U19 squad – Saad Baig (captain and wicket-keeper), Ahmed Hussain, Aimal Khan, Ali Asfand, Amir Hassan, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Hamza Nawaz, Huzaifa Ayub, Mohammad Ibtisam, Mohammad Ismail, Mohammad Zubair, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Shahmeer Ali, Shahzaib Khan and Wahaj Riaz
Complete series schedule:
15-18 October – Four-day match
22 October – First One-Day
24 October – Second One-Day
27 October – Third One-Day
29 October – Fourth One-Day
31 October – Fifth One-Day
