Malaysia U19 Captain Patro Ready to Face India, Pakistan

December 11, 2025

Malaysia Under‑19 cricket captain Deaaz Patro has expressed his excitement about the challenge of facing powerhouses India and Pakistan in the upcoming ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025, which begins in the United Arab Emirates on December 12. Patro acknowledged the stature of both teams in world cricket but insisted that his side will focus on its own game and compete with confidence rather than be intimidated by big names.

Simple Strategy: One Ball at a Time

In an interview ahead of the tournament, Patro said the key to tackling formidable opponents is to block out outside expectations and focus on the basics. “We agree that India and Pakistan are very big teams in the cricketing world,” he said, emphasizing that the Malaysian team will approach each play with full concentration and treat every delivery on its merit.

Malaysia’s first match in the Asia Cup is scheduled against Pakistan on Friday, followed by a clash with host nation UAE on December 14, and then India on December 16.

Preparation and Ambition

Patro explained that the team’s preparation has been intensive. After securing their Asia Cup spot with a third‑place finish in the ACC U19 Men’s Premier Cup 2025, Malaysia returned home before undergoing four days of focused training. The squad balanced batting and bowling practice, strengthening all aspects of their game ahead of the elite tournament.

Vice‑captain Muhammad Aalif echoed Patro’s pragmatic outlook, noting that playing against top teams offers a valuable learning opportunity. “We want to give our best. We want to win, of course,” Aalif said, adding that competing with strong teams will help Malaysia improve its approach and mentality on the field.

Personal Targets and Team Goals

Patro outlined his personal aspirations as well   aiming to score 300–400 runs in the competition   while Auckland stressed the team’s ambition to advance to the playoffs stage. Both players highlighted the strong team spirit and years of playing together from youth levels, which they believe will benefit team unity and performance.