PCB appoints former skipper Yousuf as Under-19 head coach

Staff Report

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday confirmed the appointment of former Test captain Mohammad Yousuf as head coach of Pakistan Under-19 squad. Yousuf’s first assignments in the role include the 2023 ACC U19 Asia Cup in the UAE from December 8 to 17 and the 2024 ICC U19 World Cup in Sri Lanka from January 13 to February 4. Yousuf, who has previously served as batting coach of the Pakistan Men’s Team and at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, is one of Pakistan’s most distinguished batters. He scored 7,530 Test and 9,720 ODI runs in a career spanning from 1998 to 2010 and holds the record for the most Test runs in a calendar year when he amassed 1788 runs in the format in 2006.  Yousuf said in a statement: “I am pleased to join as Pakistan U19 head coach and feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to contribute to Pakistan cricket by Chairman PCB Management Committee Zaka Ashraf. I am eagerly looking forward to the upcoming U19 Asia Cup and ICC U19 World Cup tournaments, which are crucial to the players’ growth and we will be aiming to do our best in these events. Having had the privilege of working with the senior men’s side, I will bring my coaching experience to the U19 set-up, providing a nurturing environment for the young talents to thrive and make a mark on the international level. Harnessing the skills of young players is crucial for Pakistan cricket and I am dedicated to fulfilling my responsibility in helping identify, improve and nurture future stars.”