Shahzaib and Ubaid Lead the Way as Pakistan Starts World Cup Campaign with a Victory
East London, 20 January 2024: Pakistan U19 beat Afghanistan U19 by an incredible edge of 181 runs in their initial challenge of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup. Pakistan exhibited an overall execution, as opening hitter Shahzaib Khan scored a splendid ton to assist the group with posting a respectable complete of 284-9. Prior to that, the bowlers went crazy to package out Afghanistan 103 in 26.2 overs. Ubaid Shah and Zeeshan divided seven wickets between them.
Pakistan captain Saad Baig won the throw and chose to bat first. The initial players saw off the first powerplay before Shamyl Hussain (17, 32b, 2x4s) scratched one to the guardian, stopping the 36-run association in the eleventh over. Ten balls later, Azan Awais (5, 5b, 1×4) too left after being gotten down the leg side off Khalil Ahmed.
Saad (55, 52b, 3x4s, 4x6s) and Shahzaib (106, 126b, 10x4s, 3x6s) met up to fasten a 92-run organization for the third wicket. Saad hit a whirlwind of limits to raise the stakes before tumbling to Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar.
Ahmed Hussain (8, 11b, 1×4) was excused by Naseer Khan Maroofkhil with the scorecard perusing 151-4 in 30.1 overs. Riazullah (46, 49b, 5x4s, 2x6s), batting at number six, ensured Pakistan continued to speed up yet passed up his 50 years.
Arafat Minhas (8, 6b, 1×6) tonked a six not long after strolling to the wrinkle yet needed to return inside a space of six balls in the wake of being gotten behind. Ubaid Shah (22, 12b, 3x6s) contributed with an important appearance and assisted Pakistan in arriving at 284-9 in the designated 50 overs.
Khalil was the pick of Afghan bowlers, as he took four wickets for 51 runs, while Bashir Ahmad got two wickets. Ghazanfar and Naseer stowed one wicket each.
Afghanistan’s answer was shocked by the politeness of opening bowlers Amir Hassan and Ubaid, who struck in their most memorable overs separately. Hassan Eisakhil (19, 29b, 4x4s) and Sohail Khan Zurmati (20, 26b, 2x4s) stayed nearby for eight overs before the previous hacked on a ball from Ubaid. All-rounder Ahmad Hussain pitched one up and figured out how to break the safeguard of Sohail as the ball collided with stumps.
Afghanistan continued to lose wickets at ordinary stretches as tall quick bowler Mohammad Zeeshan struck two times in his most memorable spell to eliminate wicketkeeper-hitter Numan Shah (26, 31b, 2x4s, 1×6) and captain Naseer for a seven-ball duck. Ubaid got back to excuse Middle Easterner Gul (2, 11b). Zeeshan packed away his third wicket in the game as he took out Rahimullah Zurmati (20, 32b, 3x4s).
Afghanistan lost their last five wickets for a simple 12 runs as they were packaged out for an insignificant all-out of 103 runs. Ubaid guaranteed four wickets, while Amir and Ahmed got back with one wicket each.
Shahzaib was announced player of the counterpart for his fine 100 years. Pakistan will confront Nepal U19 in their next game on January 24 at a similar scene.
Pakistan U19 beat Afghanistan U19 by 181 runs
Pakistan U19 284-9, 50 overs (Shahzaib Khan 106, Saad Baig 55, Muhammad Riazullah 46, Ubaid Shah 22; Khalil Ahmed 4-51, Bashir Ahmad 2-52)
Afghanistan U19 103 all out, 26.2 overs (Numan Shah 26, Sohail Khan Zurmati 20, Rahimullah Zurmati 20; Ubaid Shah 4-26, Mohammad Zeeshan 3-17)
Player of the match: Shahzaib Khan (Pakistan U19)
