Pakistan Cricket team secure their spot in U19 Cricket World Cup
In a gripping low-scoring encounter, Pakistan cricket team secured the last semi-final spot at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup by defending 155 runs against Bangladesh Cricket team, winning by five runs in a nail-biting thriller on Saturday. With this victory, Pakistan cricket team is set to face Australia on February 8 in Benoni, while Indian cricket team will meet South African cricket team in the first semi-final on February 6.
Pakistan Under-19s posted a total of 155 (Minhas 34, Shahzaib 26), and despite a resilient effort from Bangladesh, they managed to restrict them to 150 (James 26, Borson 21*, Ubaid 5-44). The hero of the match was Ubaid Shah, whose fiery and intense bowling rattled Bangladesh’s batting lineup. Ubaid finished with figures of 5 for 44, playing a pivotal role in Pakistan’s sensational defense.
In a dramatic turn of events, Ubaid, who had dropped a crucial catch when Bangladesh cricket team needed only 37 runs with four wickets in hand, redeemed himself by dismissing Mohammad Shihad James in the next over. Rohanat Doullah Borson’s unbeaten 21 took Bangladesh close, but Mohammad Zeeshan secured Pakistan’s triumph by taking the final wicket of Maruf Mridha.
While Pakistan’s victory mirrored their famous 2006 title win against India, where Anwar Ali played a crucial role, Ubaid Shah took the center stage in this inspired defense. Despite some lackluster periods in their batting, Pakistan managed to overcome the odds and clinch the game in dramatic fashion.
In other notable matches, Ireland cricket team pulled off an upset against New Zealand cricket team, winning by 41 runs via the DLS method. Gavin Roulston’s impressive knock of 82 led Ireland to a total of 267 for 9, setting the stage for an exciting victory. England, on the other hand, recorded a convincing 146-run win over Zimbabwe, with legspinner Tazeem Chaudhry Ali’s exceptional seven-for standing out as the best performance by an Englishman in an Under-19 World Cup.
As the tournament progresses, anticipation builds for the upcoming semi-final clashes, promising fans more thrilling moments and intense cricket battles in pursuit of the coveted Under-19 World Cup title.
