The PCB has named a 16-player Pakistan Shaheens squad to face England Lions in a three-match T20 and five-match 50-over series in Abu Dhabi from 20 February to 9 March.
Series Schedule: T20s and 50-Over Matches in Abu Dhabi
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 16-player Pakistan Shaheens squad for a white-ball series against the England Lions in Abu Dhabi. The tour will be played in two formats, starting with a three-match T20 series from 20 February, followed by a five-match 50-over series running from 27 February to 9 March. All games are scheduled to be held at the Stadium Oval in Abu Dhabi, giving young Pakistani players valuable exposure to international-style conditions in the UAE.
The back-to-back fixtures will test both the depth and adaptability of the Shaheens group. Short, high-intensity T20 outings will be followed by longer 50-over contests where fitness, game awareness and consistency will be just as important as raw talent.
Karachi Training Camp to Prepare for the England Lions
Before departing for the UAE, the Pakistan Shaheens will assemble in Karachi for a seven-day training camp from 11 to 17 February. The camp is designed to help players adjust to team plans for both formats, work on specific skill areas and build cohesion under the new leadership group.
Coaches are expected to focus on role clarity for batters and bowlers, death-overs planning for the T20s and middle-overs control for the 50-over leg. Fielding drills and match simulations will also be central, as younger players look to impress selectors in a competitive environment.
Shamyl Hussain Leads a Young, Batting-Heavy Line-Up
Left-handed batter Shamyl Hussain has been named captain for both the T20 and 50-over legs of the tour. He will be supported in the batting unit by Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars Player of the Tournament Maaz Sadaqat and fellow left-hander Saad Khan. The selection points to a batting-heavy core built around promising players who have already shown temperament in domestic and age-group tournaments.
The squad also features Pakistan Under-19 batter Sameer Minhas, who has been picked for both series. He joins his brother Arafat Minhas in the set-up, giving Pakistan a sibling pairing that has built its reputation through strong performances at the ICC Under-19 World Cup and the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars events.
Bowling Options and Wicketkeeping Depth
Behind the stumps, the selectors have opted for two wicketkeepers: Rohail Nazir and Saad Baig. This provides flexibility in team combinations across formats and adds stability to the middle order. Both keepers bring prior experience at youth and senior levels, which will be important against a well-drilled England Lions side.
In the spin department, Shaheens have options in all-rounder Arafat Minhas, leg-spinner Saad Masood and left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem. The fast-bowling group includes Under-19 quick Ali Raza alongside Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Mohammad Salman and Shahid Aziz. Together, these attacks give the management a mix of pace, variation and left-right angles for different pitch conditions in Abu Dhabi.
Support Staff and Full Squad List for England Lions Series
Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed will travel with the squad as mentor and team manager, adding senior guidance in the dressing room and on match days. The coaching staff will be led by former Test cricketer Ijaz Ahmed Jr as head coach, with Mansoor Amjad appointed as fielding coach and former Test pacer Aizaz Cheema serving as bowling coach. Mohammad Tahir will act as physiotherapist, while Usman Hashmi has been named performance analyst.
The combination of experienced support staff and a youthful playing group reflects the PCB’s aim to build a strong pipeline beneath the senior national team. A solid showing in Abu Dhabi could move several Shaheens players closer to full international honours while giving Pakistan more depth across formats.
Pakistan Shaheens Squad vs England Lions
| Shamyl Hussain (c) | Abdul Samad | Arafat Minhas | Ahmed Daniyal |
| Akif Javed | Ali Raza | Hasan Nawaz | Maaz Sadaqat |
| Mohammad Salman | Rohail Nazir (wk) | Saad Khan | Saad Baig (wk) |
| Sameer Minhas | Saad Masood | Shahid Aziz | Sufiyan Muqeem |
Support Staff
| Sarfaraz Ahmed | Mentor & Team Manager |
| Ijaz Ahmed Jr | Head Coach |
| Mansoor Amjad | Fielding Coach |
| Aizaz Cheema | Bowling Coach |
| Mohammad Tahir | Physiotherapist |
| Usman Hashmi | Performance Analyst |
Pakistan Shaheens vs England Lions Schedule
- 1st T20 – 20 February
- 2nd T20 – 22 February
- 3rd T20 – 24 February
- 1st 50-over – 27 February
- 2nd 50-over – 1 March
- 3rd 50-over – 4 March
- 4th 50-over – 6 March
- 5th 50-over – 9 March
