In the absence of Imad Wasim, Umar Amin, who has an average of 40.05 in 121 first-class competitions, will lead the Northern First XI side.

The team is bolstered by the presence of emerging cricketers. Haris Rauf and Musa Khan, the two pacers who showed their worth with sustained pace and penetration in the last edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League, are part of an accomplished bowling line-up, which include first-class stalwarts in Sadaf Hussain, Waqas Ahmed and Nauman Ali, and centrally contracted player Shaheen Shah Afridi

Umar Amin is particularly excited and looking forward to lead an exciting pace attack.

“We have been dissecting our squad in team meetings. We have a good mixture of senior and junior players,” said Amin. “Our young pace-bowling unit for sure looks exciting. Haris Rauf and Musa Khan have proved their mettle in the high-octane HBL Pakistan Super League. And, I am sure they are looking forward to leaving a mark in red ball cricket.

 “The presence of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz is going to strengthen our spin bowling unit,” he added.

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Rohail Nazir, Pakistan U19 captain, will take up the wicketkeeping responsibilities and U19 opener Haider Ali is expected to begin the proceedings for the First XI side.

Hammad Azam and Test cricketer Mohammad Nawaz – the two all-rounders – will provide more flexibility to Umar by extending the side’s batting and bowling line-ups. Shadab Khan has joined the side after featuring in Caribbean Premier League.

Sohail Tanvir, who has more than 3000 runs and 307 wickets in first-class cricket, is the experienced cricketer who will be a guiding light for the young and talented cricketers.

Northern will begin their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2019-20 campaign against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the picturesque Abbottabad Stadium on 14 September.

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