The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Men’s U19 Asia Cup is more than just a tournament. It is the first glimpse into the future of world cricket. Legends like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam and Rashid Khan all announced themselves on this very stage.
The 2025 edition, hosted in the United Arab Emirates, has lived up to the hype. Featuring eight of the best youth teams from the continent, the tournament provides a vital platform for these young athletes before they transition to the senior level.
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about the participating teams. We analyze the squads, the groups, and the standout players who are destined for greatness.
Groups:
The groups were drawn to ensure a balance of power, mixing established heavyweights with rising associate nations.
| Group A | Group B |
| India | Bangladesh |
| Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Afghanistan |
| Malaysia | Nepal |
Group A:
Group A is often referred to as the “Group of Death” because it features the arch rivals India and Pakistan. Alongside them are the hosts UAE and a spirited Malaysian side.
1. India U19:
Status: Defending Champions and Favorites
Captain: Ayush Mhatre
India continues its tradition of producing world class youth talent. The Indian team in 2025 has been a batting powerhouse. In their opening game against UAE, they posted a mammoth total of 433 runs, signaling their intent early on.
The squad features Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a teenage sensation who scored a blistering 177 against UAE. The team is built on a strong top order and disciplined spinners who choke the opposition in the middle overs.
India U19 Squad:
| Player Name | Role |
| Ayush Mhatre | Captain / Batter |
| Vihaan Malhotra | Vice Captain |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Batter |
| Abhigyan Kundu | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Harvansh Singh | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Kanishk Chouhan | All Rounder |
| Aaron George | Batter |
| Naman Pushpak | Bowler |
| Kishan Kumar Singh | Bowler |
| Henil Patel | Bowler |
| Vedant Trivedi | All Rounder |
2. Pakistan U19:
Status: The Challengers
Captain: Farhan Yousaf
Pakistan has brought a squad that relies heavily on raw pace and aggressive batting. Their rivalry with India defines the group stage. In 2025, their standout performer has been Sameer Minhas, whose power hitting ability down the order has rescued the team from difficult situations.
Their bowling attack, led by Abdul Subhan, has been lethal. Subhan’s ability to swing the new ball and reverse it later in the innings makes him a constant threat.
Pakistan U19 Squad:
| Player Name | Role |
| Farhan Yousaf | Captain |
| Usman Khan | Vice Captain |
| Sameer Minhas | Batter |
| Abdul Subhan | Bowler |
| Ali Raza | Bowler |
| Hamza Zahoor | Wicketkeeper |
| Huzaifa Ahsan | All Rounder |
| Ahmed Hussain | Batter |
| Mohammad Shayan | Wicketkeeper |
| Daniyal Ali Khan | Bowler |
3. United Arab Emirates (UAE) U19:
Status: Hosts and Dark Horses
Captain: Yayin Rai
The UAE team has shown tremendous growth over the last few years. Playing in their home conditions gives them a slight advantage. While they faced a tough challenge against India, their knowledge of the Dubai pitches makes them dangerous opponents for any side.
Their captain, Yayin Rai, is a technically sound batter who anchors the innings. The team relies on spin to restrict opponents, which works well on the slow tracks of the ICC Academy.
UAE U19 Squad:
| Player Name | Role |
| Yayin Rai | Captain |
| Saleh Amin | Wicketkeeper |
| Ayaan Misbah | All Rounder |
| Uddish Suri | Bowler |
| Prithvi Madhu | Batter |
| Karan Dhiman | All Rounder |
| Yug Sharma | Bowler |
| Zainullah Rahmani | All Rounder |
4. Malaysia U19:
Status: The Underdogs
Captain: Deeaz Patro
Malaysia qualified for the tournament by performing exceptionally well in the Premier Cup. For them, this tournament is about gaining experience against the big boys. They face a steep learning curve but have shown flashes of brilliance in their fielding and running between the wickets.
Malaysia U19 Squad:
| Player Name | Role |
| Deeaz Patro | Captain |
| Muhammad Aalif | Batter |
| Muhammad Akram | All Rounder |
| Mohammad Hairil | Wicketkeeper |
| Syakir Izzudin | Bowler |
| Hamzah Panggi | All Rounder |
Group B:
Group B is highly competitive, with three Test nations fighting for two semifinal spots. The battle between Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan is always intense.
5. Bangladesh U19:
Status: Previous Champions (2023)
Captain: Azizul Hakim Tamim
Bangladesh has a robust youth setup that won the U19 World Cup in 2020. They play a passionate brand of cricket. Their spin attack is arguably the best in the tournament. In Group B, they dominated their matches to secure a top spot.
Captain Azizul Hakim Tamim leads from the front, while Zawad Abrar provides stability at the top of the order.
Bangladesh U19 Squad:
| Player Name | Role |
| Azizul Hakim Tamim | Captain |
| Zawad Abrar | Vice Captain |
| Samiun Basir Ratul | Batter |
| Sheikh Parvez Jibon | Spinner |
| Rizan Hossain | Batter |
| Kalam Siddiki Aleen | All Rounder |
| Farid Hasan Faysal | Wicketkeeper |
6. Sri Lanka U19:
Status: The Technicians
Captain: Vimath Dinsara
Sri Lankan youth teams are known for their unorthodox players and technical brilliance. The 2025 squad is no different. They rely on building partnerships rather than brute force. Their fielding standards are among the highest in the competition.
Viran Chamuditha has been a revelation with the bat, scoring crucial runs under pressure.
Sri Lanka U19 Squad:
| Player Name | Role |
| Vimath Dinsara | Captain |
| Kavija Gamage | Vice Captain |
| Viran Chamuditha | Batter |
| Dulnith Sigera | Bowler |
| Adham Hilmy | Batter |
| Dimantha Mahavithana | All Rounder |
7. Afghanistan U19:
Status: The Powerhouse
Captain: Mehboob Taskin
Afghanistan cricket is synonymous with passion. Their U19 team is physically strong and mentally tough. They play fearless cricket. Their spinners are world class, often bamboozling batters who are not used to quality wrist spin.
Although they faced stiff competition from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, they remain a team that can beat anyone on their day.
Afghanistan U19 Squad:
| Player Name | Role |
| Mehboob Taskin | Captain / Wicketkeeper |
| Khalid Ahmadzai | Wicketkeeper |
| Faisal Khan Shinozada | Batter |
| Nazeefullah Amiri | Bowler |
| Allah Mohammad | Spinner |
8. Nepal U19:
Status: The Rising Force
Captain: Ashok Dhami
Nepal brings the most passionate fan base in the world. Their youth development program is strong, and they regularly punch above their weight. In Group B, they challenged the Test nations with their disciplined bowling.
Nepal U19 Squad:
| Player Name | Role |
| Ashok Dhami | Captain |
| Niraj Yadav | Vice Captain / Wicketkeeper |
| Arjun Kumal | Batter |
| Dipak Bohara | Batter |
| Durgesh Gupta | Bowler |
| Aakash Tripathi | Batte |
Playoffs:
As of December 20, 2025, the group stages have concluded, and the semifinals have been played.
- Semifinal 1: India defeated Sri Lanka to book their spot in the final.
- Semifinal 2: Pakistan defeated Bangladesh to set up a dream final.
Final:
The final match is scheduled for December 21, 2025, featuring India vs Pakistan. This is the ultimate showdown. The two best teams in the tournament, both from Group A, meet again to decide the champion of Asia.
Conclusion:
The ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 has showcased the immense depth of talent in Asian cricket. From the run machines of India to the pace battery of Pakistan and the spirited fight of Nepal and UAE, every team has contributed to a memorable tournament.
As these young players graduate to senior cricket, fans will look back at these squad lists and realize they witnessed the birth of the next generation of legends.