Ibrahim Zadran, who has partaken in a couple of Test matches, is also a key batsman in the side © Getty

Farhan Zakhil, the opening batsman, will lead Afghanistan's Under-19 set-up in the upcoming Under-19 World Cup to he held in South Africa in January and February next year.

The 16-year-old, who has already played 13 first class games, made his Under-19 debut when Afghanistan took on India in March this year. He also led the side in the Under-19 Asia Cup and the recently-concluded one-day series versus India. The right-handed batsman already has three first-class hundreds, including an unbeaten 167 against the Boost Region.

Squad: Farhan Zakhil (C), Sediq Atal, Rahmanullah Zadran, Ibrahim Zadran, Ishaq Mohammadi, Noor Ahmad, Shafiqullah Ghafari, Jamshid Mir Alikhil, Abdul Rahman, Abid Taniwal, Fazal Haq, Imran Mir, Zohaib Zamankhil, Asif Musazai and Abid Mohammadi.
Ibrahim Zadran, who has partaken in a couple of Test matches, is also a key batsman in the side. The opener compiled a fine 87 on his Test debut versus Bangladesh. The side also includes Abi Mohammadi, the all-rounder, who recently picked up a four-wicket haul in a one-day game against India U19 in Lucknow. Noor Ahmad, the chinaman bowler, who bagged three scalps in the fifth and final one-day match of the series versus India Under-19, to script a famous win for Afghanistan, also makes it into the side. Ishaq Mohammadi will be the wicketkeeper.

Pacer Samiullah Salarzai, Majeed Alam, Arif Khan, Islam Zazai and Ihsan Mandozai are in the reserve list for the tournament.

The tournament will commence on January 17, 2020, with Afghanistan taking on South Africa in the opening fixture in Kimberley.