Lahore: The Pakistan Shaheens are poised to start their journey in the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams T20 Asia Cup 2024 with an opening match against India ‘A’ this Saturday at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Muscat, Oman. The team, led by Mohammad Haris, aims to make a strong showing in this inaugural T20 format of the tournament.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the Shaheens, placed in Group B, will subsequently face host nation Oman on October 21 and the United Arab Emirates on October 23. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on October 25, with the final slated for October 26.
The team has undergone rigorous preparation, including a five-day training camp at the Hanif Mohammad National High-Performance Centre in Karachi before heading to Oman. This marks a significant shift as the previous five editions of the tournament were held in a List-A format, with Pakistan claiming titles in 2019 and 2023.
The squad includes several capped players like Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, and Shahnawaz Dahani, alongside newcomers such as Abdul Samad and Ahmed Daniyal. Captain Mohammad Haris highlighted the importance of the tournament as a platform for emerging players to demonstrate their skills under pressure and adapt to the T20 game’s demands.
The Pakistan Shaheens are looking to leverage their recent domestic white-ball experience to excel in the high-stakes matches of the T20 Asia Cup.