Defending champions Pakistan on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the U-19 Asia Cup, which will be held in Oman from Nov 5 to 14.

Farhan Yousuf will lead the side, which is scheduled to depart for Oman from Karachi on Oct 29, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.

Pakistan have been placed in Group ‘A’ alongside India, Nepal and hosts the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the eight-team tournament.

The squad includes wicket-keeper-batters Abdul Qadir and Hamza Zahoor, and batters Usman Khan, Hayam Khan, Jahangir Bilal and Huzaifa Ahsan. All-rounders Ahmed Hussain and Hasnain Abbas Dar have also been included.

The pace attack comprises Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Seyam, Ali Raza and Rizwanullah, while Mohammad Huzaifa and Niqab Shafiq are the two frontline spin options.

Of the 15 players selected for the continental event, only Ali Raza and Huzaifa Ahsan were not part of the Pakistan U-19 side that defeated England 3-1 in a four-match Youth ODI series in September.

Pakistan won the previous edition of the tournament in the United Arab Emirates, defeating arch-rivals India by 191 runs in a one-sided final at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.

The team will begin their title defence against the UAE on Nov 6 before taking on India on Nov 8 and Nepal on Nov 10.

Group ‘B’ comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

The semi-finals will be played on Nov 12, with the final scheduled for Nov 14.

Shahid Anwar will serve as head coach and team manager, while Rao Iftikhar Anjum has been named fast bowling coach and Zohaib Khan spin bowling coach. Humayun Farhat will be the fielding coach.

Squad: Farhan Yousuf (captain), Abdul Qadir (wicket-keeper), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Raza, Hamza Zahoor (wicket-keeper), Hasnain Abbas Dar, Hayam Khan, Huzaifa Ahsan, Jahangir Bilal, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohammad Seyam, Niqab Shafiq, Rizwanullah, Usman Khan.