The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has revealed a 15-member squad for the upcoming Men’s U19 World Cup, to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia starting January 15, 2026. Somerset’s Thomas Rew, who led the England Lions tour of Australia, will captain the team. Farhan Ahmed from Nottinghamshire, who stood in as captain during the Youth ODI series against West Indies, will serve as vice-captain. Ali Farooq from Leicestershire has earned his first call-up for the Young Lions.
England Men U19s Head Coach, Mike Yardy, expressed excitement for the selected players, emphasizing the chance to represent England at a World Cup and showcase their skills. The squad comprises players with county experience and a strong team spirit from playing together for the U19s. The team is set to compete in Group C against Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and Scotland, with the first match scheduled for January 16 in Harare.
The top three teams from each group will progress to the ‘Super Six’ stage, leading to the final match at Harare Sports Club on February 6. Yardy encouraged the players to relish the World Cup experience in Zimbabwe and demonstrate their abilities against international opponents.
