The 2023 Under-19s Asia Cup starts tomorrow (December 8) in the United Arab Emirates. Originally scheduled to take place in Pakistan, the tournament’s venue was later shifted to the UAE.
Eight nations are slated to compete in the event which will be played from 8th December to 17th December. Nepal, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan are in Group A while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Japan and UAE will compete in Group B.
The Nepalese U19 Cricket Team is set to face Pakistan U19 tomorrow (December 8, Friday) on the opening day of ACC U19 Asia Cup 2023.
In preparation for the tournament, Team Nepal participated in a training camp, engaging in several exhibition matches within the squads and also against the senior team.
Likewise, ahead of squad finalization, aspiring players for Pakistan U19 convened at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi for a training camp.
Match Details:
Date: December 8 (Friday)
Time: 11:15 AM (NST)
Venue: ICC Academy Ground 2, Dubai
Live Score: Cricnepal.com
Weather report:
As per the Google weather reports, there is no sign of rain on the matchday. The average temperature of the day will be 28°C with 57% humidity and wind of 13km/h.
Head to Head:
Nepal defeated Pakistan by 30 runs in the U-19 World Cup 2002 during the captaincy of Binod Das. After that Pakistan U19 team outplayed the Nepalese team four times.
What to expect?
While gearing up to face a U19 team from a test nation, the Nepalese side might have a tough match. Nevertheless, Nepal also is coming to the tournament with positive momentum, making it a match worth watching.
Squad Review:
Pakistan possesses a solid squad comprising a talented group of players, many of whom have gained valuable experience in the Pakistan Junior League, with a few already making their mark in the Pakistan Super League. Vice-captain Arafat Minhas has already represented Pakistan’s senior side in T20I.
Nepal also has a good squad. Skipper Dev Khanal is a batter to look out for whilst Team Nepal’s experienced campaigner Gulshan Jha’s inclusion solidifies the team. Also, left-handed batter Bipin Rawal and spinner Tilak Bhandari are roped in.
Nepal U19 squad: Dev Khanal (c), Dipesh Kandel, Gulshan Jha, Hemant Dhami, Subash Bhandari, Aakash Tripathi, Arjun Kumal, Deepak Bohara, Uttam Thapa Magar, Dipak Dumre, Aakash Chand, Bishal KC, Tilak Raj Bhandari, Bipin Rawal.
Pakistan U19 squad – Saad Baig (c and wk), Ahmad Hussain, Ali Asfand, Amir Hassan, Arafat Minhas (vice-captain), Azan Awais, Khubaib Khalil, Najab Khan, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Mohammad Riazullah, Mohammad Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Zeeshan, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Ubaid Shah
Nepal’s other fixtures:
December 10 – vs Afghanistan
December 12 – vs India
- Under the captaincy of Saad Baig, Pakistan U19 competed in a five-match One Day series against Sri Lanka U19 in Karachi in October 2023, with the visiting team emerging victorious with a 3-2 scoreline.
