The excitement of youth cricket takes center stage as Sri Lanka’s U19 cricket team prepares to embark on a thrilling tour to Pakistan for a series of matches against the Pakistan U19 side. This tour, scheduled for October, will consist of one four-day match and five one-day matches, promising high-quality cricket action at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.
The tour is set to kick off with a four-day game on October 15th, with the match commencing at 10:00 am PST. Following this, a series of five one-day matches will take place from October 22nd to October 31st, with the first ball set to be bowled at 9:30 am. These matches hold particular significance as they serve as a platform for young and talented cricketers to showcase their skills and gain invaluable experience ahead of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2024.
As per the ICC’s eligibility criteria for the U19 World Cup, players born on or after September 1, 2004, will be eligible for selection. This means that the matches will feature some of the brightest prospects in the world of cricket, giving fans a glimpse of the stars of tomorrow.
This tour is part of Pakistan U19’s commitment to nurturing young talent and providing opportunities for emerging cricketing stars. The series will be an excellent opportunity for these talented young cricketers to fine-tune their skills and gain valuable experience in a competitive international setting.
This isn’t Pakistan U19’s first bilateral series this year. In April, the team toured Bangladesh and participated in a series consisting of one four-day match, five one-day matches, and one T20 encounter. Pakistan U19 showcased their cricketing prowess by winning all three formats, including a dominating 4-1 victory in the five-match one-day series.
Notably, this isn’t the first time that Sri Lanka and Pakistan U19 teams have squared off. In November of the previous year, Bangladesh U19 toured Pakistan and played a series of matches in Multan, which included one four-day game, three one-day matches, and two T20 matches. These contests provided thrilling and competitive cricketing action, further solidifying the spirit of camaraderie between the young talents.
Usman Wahla, Director of International Cricket at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), expressed his enthusiasm for the forthcoming series, emphasizing the significance of hosting the Sri Lanka U19 team in Pakistan. He noted that the board is thrilled to extend a warm welcome to the Sri Lanka U19 team as they embark on this exciting bilateral series. This platform has offered young talents an exceptional opportunity to exhibit their skills and acquire invaluable experience in preparation for the ICC U19 World Cup next year.
He also remarked that the U19 team has recently delivered some outstanding cricket performances. This series on home turf reflects our commitment to nurturing emerging talent and providing prospects for the future luminaries of Pakistan’s cricketing realm. The board extends its best wishes to both youthful squads, hoping the matches will be characterized by a sense of camaraderie.
Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating this clash of the U19 titans, where they will witness the future stars of international cricket in action. The announced schedule features a well-rounded mix of formats, promising competitive and entertaining cricket that fans are sure to relish.
