Pacer Akif Javed has been ruled out of the upcoming ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup. Akif has picked up a knee injury, confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) based on his recent medical reports and MRI findings.
The young pacer will complete a strength and conditioning programme before he resumes bowling again. In his stead, the Shaheens have added young pacer Ali Raza, who is currently playing in the ongoing U19 Asia Cup. He has taken five wickets so far in two games, including a match-winning three-fer against India on Sunday.
The 18-year-old will join a decent bowling attack, with Mohammad Hasnain and Sufyan Moqim leading them. Besides him, Ahmed Daniyal and Muhammad Imran Randhawa will form the pace attack, while Moqim will be joined by left-arm all-rounder Danish Aziz and leg-spinner Saad Masood to share the spin duties.
Pakistan have been drawn into Group B in the upcoming Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship. They will begin their campaign on November 20 against UAE.
Pakistan drawn in Group B
Besides UAE and Pakistan, India and Nepal are part of Group B, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong will form Group A. Besides UAE and Hong Kong, all the other sides will send their A teams to the tournament, which begins on November 19.
Both groups will play on the opening day, with Bangladesh taking on Hong Kong at the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) Cricket Ground and Sri Lanka playing Afghanistan at West End International Cricket Stadium (WEICS).
Following their fixture against UAE, Pakistan will cross swords with arch-rivals India on November 22 at WEICS. Both India and Pakistan will play their final group-stage games on November 24 against Nepal and UAE, respectively.
Updated Pakistan Shaheens squad for ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026
Abdul Samad (captain), Ahmed Daniyal, Ali Raza, Danish Aziz, Farhan Yousuf, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Saad Masood, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufyan Moqim.
ALSO READ:
Sri Lanka bowlers toil hard to no benefit as Pakistan end day 1 on top