Pakistan downed Zimbabwe in a slow run-chase to take them along to the Super Sixes

Pakistan U19 won their final group-stage game against Zimbabwe U19 by eight wickets, with 23.4 overs to spare, securing a place in the Super Sixes. However, they took an unusual route to victory to ensure they gained a head start in the next stage with a boosted net run rate (NRR).

Pakistan held their horses in the run chase

Chasing 129, Pakistan were 84 for 2 by the end of the 14th over, with Sameer Minhas, one of their top batters, batting comfortably on 47. However, the batters slowed down significantly afterwards, seemingly to ensure Zimbabwe also progressed alongside them to the Super Sixes.

The reason behind this move lies in the tournament rules, which allow net run rate and points from the group stage to be carried over to the next round, provided only matches played between qualified sides are considered.

This meant that if Zimbabwe crashed out of the tournament in this game, Pakistan’s inflated NRR from a potentially convincing victory would not have benefited them. In that scenario, Scotland would have qualified instead, and Pakistan’s NRR from their match against Scotland would have been carried forward to the Super Sixes.

Getting more than just a win

To ensure Zimbabwe, and not Scotland, qualified, Pakistan had to make sure they did not chase down the target before 25.2 overs. That is exactly what they did, gaining more than just a win in their final group-stage game.

They eventually reached the target in 26.2 overs, with Sameer hitting two back-to-back sixes as soon as they were out of the danger zone.

The uproar around this tactic pushed Pakistan’s strong performance in the game into the background. The pacers shared seven wickets between them, with Ali Raza, as expected, leading the way with three scalps, followed by Mohammad Sayyam and Abdul Subhan, who picked up two wickets each.

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