Pakistan Face Injury Scare Ahead of Marquee India Encounter in ICC U19 World Cup 2026

The Pakistan U19 team has suffered an unfortunate injury setback ahead of the marquee India clash in the ICC U19 World Cup 2026. The wicketkeeper batter, Mohammad Shayan, has been ruled out of the upcoming match, as he sustained a devastating blow to his nose while keeping the wickets during a scenario-based practice match in the Pakistan camp.

After getting hit on the nose, Mohammad Shayan was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital, where X-ray scans confirmed his fracture.

"Pakistan U19 wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Shayan has been ruled out of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup after being struck on the nose by a ball while wicket-keeping to a fast bowler during a scenario-based practice match," said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a statement.

"He was taken to hospital, where X-rays confirmed a fracture. A replacement for Mohammad Shayan will be named in due course," the PCB statement added.

Mohammad Shayan has played two matches for Pakistan in the ongoing tournament. He scored just seven runs in the match against England, while he did not come to bat in the fixture against New Zealand.

The injury concern has emerged in the Pakistan camp at a time when the team is preparing to face arch-rivals India in the upcoming U19 World Cup clash. While Pakistan has appropriate replacements available in the squad, the injury of Shayan will still force the team to rethink its middle order batting strategy.

The upcoming India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 is important, as tensions between both countries have been high for quite some time. However, the young stars of Pakistan are advised to play the match without any pressure, as that will help them to give their best on the field.