Dubai: Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 83 runs in a crucial match of the Under-19 Asia Cup, securing a spot in the semi-finals.
This marks the continuous success of the Pakistani Under-19 team in the tournament. Previously, the team defeated Nepal by 7 wickets and India by 8 wickets.
The match, played at ICC Academy Ground in Dubai on Tuesday, saw Afghanistan winning the toss and inviting Pakistan to bat. The Pakistani team scored 303 runs in 48 overs and got out. In response, the Afghan team was bowled out for 220 runs in 48.4 overs.
Pakistan’s openers, Shamil Hussain and Shahzeb Khan, provided a solid start with 115 runs. Shahzeb Khan scored 79 runs with the help of 9 boundaries and 1 six before getting out.
Shamil Hussain played aggressively, scoring 75 runs off 54 balls, including 5 boundaries and 7 sixes. Riazullah contributed 73 runs with the help of 5 boundaries and 2 sixes.
Owais Azam, who scored a century against India, made 20 runs with 3 boundaries. From Afghanistan’s side, Faridun Dawoodzai and Bashir Ahmad took three wickets each.
The excellent bowling performance by Pakistani bowlers didn’t allow the Afghan team to settle at any point. From Afghanistan, Nauman Shah is the top scorer with 54 runs, including 4 boundaries and 1 six.
Pakistan’s Ubaid Shah took 19, and Taib Aarif took 51 runs, dismissing three players each. Habeib Khalil, playing his first Under-19 one-day match, scored 45 runs, dismissing two players.
Shamil Hussain, with his aggressive batting and half-century, was awarded the Player of the Match.
