Right-handed batter Mohammad Haris has been appointed captain of the Pakistan Shaheens for the upcoming Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup. The tournament will see the national side go head-to-head with arch-rivals India in their opening match scheduled for October 19 in Oman. Before their departure for the tournament, the Shaheens will conduct a training camp at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi from October 11 to 15. This preparation is crucial as the team gears up for a competitive event that will feature young talents from various nations.
The squad, which is set to leave for Oman on October 16, includes several players making their debut for the Shaheens. Among them are Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Yasir Khan, and Zaman Khan. This infusion of new talent is expected to bolster the team’s performance. Samad recently showcased his skills while playing for UMT Markhors in the Champions One-Day Cup 2024-25, where he impressed with a strike rate of 122.88. Meanwhile, Daniyal took 10 wickets while representing Nurpur Lions, and Yasir and Zaman played for Allied Bank Stallions, featuring in four and two matches, respectively.
The tournament will see a total of eight teams divided into two groups. All matches will be hosted at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Muscat. Group A includes Afghanistan A, Bangladesh A, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka A. In contrast, the defending champions Pakistan Shaheens are placed in Group B alongside India A, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Following their clash with India A, the Shaheens will face the host nation Oman on October 21, followed by their final group match against the UAE on October 23.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals scheduled for October 25, with the final set to take place on Sunday, October 27. The full squad for the Shaheens includes Mohammad Haris (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Shahnawaz Dahani, Sufiyan Moqim, Yasir Khan, and Zaman Khan.
The team management comprises Umar Rasheed (head coach-cum-manager), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Riffatullah Mohmand (fielding coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst), and Syed Mohammad Asad (physiotherapist). As anticipation builds for the tournament, the Shaheens aim to perform strongly and reclaim the title, showcasing their talent on an international stage.
