Cricket

India's Mohammad Amaan to Lead U19 Team in ACC Asia CupUttar Pradesh's Mohammad Amaan has been appointed as the captain of India's U19 team for the upcoming 50-over ACC Under-19 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from November 30 to December 8.India will kick off their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium on November 30. The team boasts a talented roster of young players who have showcased their abilities in domestic competitions.Among the notable names in the squad are Mumbai's Ayush Mhatre, Bihar's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Tamil Nadu's C Andre Siddarth, Kerala leg-spinner Mohammed Enaan, Karnataka batter Hardik Raj, and his state-mate Samarth Nagaraj.Group A of the tournament also includes Japan and the hosts UAE, while Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal. India will face Bangladesh in a practice match on November 26 in Sharjah before the tournament begins.The semifinals of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup are scheduled for December 6, with the final set to take place on December 8. India will be aiming to defend their title, having won the previous edition in 2019.India U19 Squad:* Ayush Mhatre* Vaibhav Sooryavanshi* C Andre Siddarth* Mohammad Amaan (C)* Kiran Chormale (VC)* Pranav Pant* Harvansh Singh Pangalia (WK)* Anurag Kawde (WK)* Hardik Raj* Mohammad Enaan* KP Karthikeya* Samarth Nagaraj* Yudhajit Guha* Chetan Sharma* Nikhil KumarNon-travelling Reserves:* Sahil Parakh* Naman Pushpak* Anmoljeet Singh* Pranav Raghavendra* D Dipesh

India to Face Pakistan in Opening Match of 2024 U-19 Asia CupThe Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has unveiled the schedule for the 2024 Men's 50-over U-19 Asia Cup, set to take place from November 29 to December 8 in Dubai and Sharjah. India will kick off their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on November 30 at the Dubai International Stadium.India has been placed in Group A alongside Japan and hosts UAE. They will face Japan on December 2 and UAE on December 4, both matches to be played in Sharjah. The top two teams from both Group A and B will advance to the semi-finals on December 6 in Dubai and Sharjah, with the final scheduled for December 8 in Dubai.Group B features defending champions Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Nepal. The tournament will commence on November 29 with a match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan, followed by Sri Lanka and Nepal facing off on the same day.This edition marks the 11th Men's U-19 Asia Cup, which was first held in Bangladesh in 1989. Japan, Nepal, and UAE earned their spots in the tournament after qualifying through the 2023 ACC Men's Under-19 Premier Cup.Bangladesh are the reigning champions, having defeated UAE by 195 runs in the 2023 final. India holds the record for most titles with eight, while Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh have each won once. The last three editions of the tournament were held in the UAE, with India winning their most recent title there in 2021.The U-19 Asia Cup provides a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent and gain valuable experience at the international level. It has been a stepping stone for many future stars, including Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, and Rashid Khan.