Muhammad Irfan Khan Named Captain of Pakistan's Squad Asia Cup For Rising Stars

On Friday, Pakistan’s white-ball discard Muhammad Irfan Khan was named captain as national selectors announced a young squad for the men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament scheduled to be held in Doha later this month. The squad features only three players who have represented the senior team: Irfan, spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, and fast bowler Ahmed Daniyal. The remaining players have shown promise in under-19, Shaheens, or domestic circuits, and in the Pakistan Super League. Pakistan and India will compete again in the tournament, which will feature eight teams from November 14 to 23. Pakistan Shaheens are placed in Group B alongside Oman, India ‘A’, and UAE, while Afghanistan ‘A’, Bangladesh ‘A’, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka ‘A’ are in Group A. Pakistan will play their opening match of the T20 tournament against Oman on November 14, before facing India ‘A’ on November 14. Shaheens’ final group match will be against the UAE on November 18. The Pakistan Shaheens 15-member squad includes: Muhammad Irfan Khan (captain), Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Faiq, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Naeem, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Shahzad, Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Shahid Aziz, Sufiyan Moqim, Ubaid Shah, and Yasir Khan.