Pakistan U19 hand Afghanistan heavy defeat to book a berth in tri-series final

Pakistan U19 were the better side by a mile in Harare, where they inflicted a 133-run defeat on Afghanistan. This was their second victory over Afghanistan in a week, having beaten them in a close-contested game on Saturday. With two wins in three games, one of which was washed out, Pakistan have booked their place in the final of the tri-nation series, with Zimbabwe as the third team.

Top-order run the hard yards

Pakistan opener Sameer Minhas continued his incredible form and struck a 49-ball 56, finishing as the top scorer across both sides. This was Minhas’ fifth fifty-plus score since the start of December, when he made his YODI debut. After him, Usman Khan and Ali Hassan Baloch kept the scoreboard ticking. Usman was denied a half-century by seven runs, having been dismissed for 43 off 76 balls.

None of the remaining batters crossed the 30-run mark, but the damage done by the top three meant Pakistan had a defendable total of 238 on the board.

Pakistan bowlers wreak havoc with Afghanistan

Pakistan’s bowlers ruthlessly exploited the slow Harare surface. Umar Zaib bagged a five-wicket haul, hardly giving the Afghanistan batters any breathing room. Momin Qamar and Ahmed Hussain joined the party, grabbing a couple of scalps each to make light work of the defence. Fittingly, it was an Umar Zaib delivery that finally put a stop to Afghanistan’s misery, as they were bowled out for 105 in 30.2 overs.

Pakistan will now face Zimbabwe on Sunday, which will be a dead rubber for the visitors. The other two teams, however, still have a spot in the final up for grabs. The hosts, much to their misfortune, have had two games abandoned due to rain. Another washout would end their hopes of making the final, with Afghanistan currently sitting above them on the table.

The final of the tri-series will be played on January 6 in Harare. This will be Pakistan’s last game before they begin their ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup campaign against England on January 16.

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