Pakistan colts skipper Saad Baig said he chose to bat first as his team wants to put a big total on the board and defend it. The two teams have played each other before but the Under-19 World Cup stage would be a litmus test for the Naseer Khan Maroofkhil-led Afghanistan
Pakistan will bat first in their campaign-opening match of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2024 against Afghanistan. The Pakistan colts skipper Saad Baig won the toss and chose to bat at the Buffalo Park, East London on Saturday, January 20, 2024. (More Cricket News)
Baig said he chose to bat first as his team wants to put a big total on the board and defend it. He added that they have played against the Afghanistan Under-19 side before, but it's advantageous for both teams as they are aware of each other's strengths and weaknesses. Baig further said he believes in his players and is confident that the match will go in his outfit's favour.
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The event features 16 teams, divided into four groups with four teams each. The 2024 edition of the tournament was moved from Sri Lanka to South Africa in a late adjustment by the International Cricket Council.
Playing XIs
Pakistan Under-19: Saad Baig (C/WK), Shahzaib Khan, Azan Awais, Shamyl Hussain, Riaz Ullah, Arafat Minhas, Ali Asfand, Amir Hassan, Ubaid Shah, Mohammad Zeeshan, Ahmad Hassan.
Afghanistan Under-19: Naseer Khan Maroofkhil (C), Numan Shah (WK), Hassan Eisakhil, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Sohail Khan Zurmati, Rahimullah Zurmati, Jamshid Zadran, Arab Gul, Allah Mohammad, Khalil Ahmed, Bashir Ahmad.