Lahore: Mohammad Haris, a prominent young cricketer with international experience in both T20Is and ODIs, has been named the captain of the Pakistan Shaheens for the upcoming ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup set to start on October 18 in Oman. Haris’s leadership comes at a critical time as the team prepares for a challenging tournament featuring some of Asia’s best up-and-coming cricket talents.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the Pakistan Shaheens will first gather for a preparatory camp at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi from October 11 to October 15, before heading to Oman on October 16. The squad features several new faces, including Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Yasir Khan, and Zaman Khan, all of whom will be representing the Pakistan Shaheens for the first time.
The tournament will host eight teams, divided into two groups. Pakistan Shaheens find themselves in Group B, alongside India ‘A’, Oman, and UAE. The team’s campaign will kick off against last year’s finalists, India ‘A’, on October 19, followed by matches against hosts Oman and UAE on October 21 and October 23, respectively.
Usman Wahla, PCB Director – International, expressed enthusiasm about the team’s prospects: “Pakistan Shaheens are excited to showcase PCB’s emerging talent at the ACC Emerging Teams T20 Asia Cup. We commend the Asian Cricket Council for their continuous efforts to foster player development across member nations. Initiatives like the Emerging Teams T20 Asia Cup are vital for creating opportunities for young talents to grow and excel.”
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on October 25, with the final showdown scheduled for October 27.
The Pakistan Shaheens squad for this tournament also includes seasoned players and newcomers, all under the guidance of a robust team management led by Umar Rasheed as head coach-cum-manager, and supported by Imran Farhat (batting coach), Riffatullah Mohmand (fielding coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst), and Syed Mohammad Asad (physiotherapist).
As the tournament approaches, the Pakistan Shaheens look poised to make a significant impact, driven by a mix of experienced and fresh talent ready to make their mark on the international stage.