Pakistan cruises into quarterfinal of U-19 cricket world cup

Pakistan after winning the toss invited Sri Lanka to bat first. Start of Sri Lanka was not good as they lost first wicket on 6 runs and half of their team went back to pavilion on just 72 runs in 22.4 overs. Pakistan wrapped up Islanders on 188 runs in 48.2 overs. Jehan Daniel was most successful batsman from Sri Lanka. He scored 53 runs while Bandara scored 37 runs. Suleman Shafqat with 3 wickets tops the bowling chart while Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up 2 wickets and Arshad Iqbal, Muhammad Zaid Alam and Hasan Khan grabbed 1 wicket each.

In reply, Pakistan chased the score in 43.3 overs for the loss of 7 wickets in 43.3 overs to grab the quarterfinal berth. Pakistan lost first wicket on 5 runs and lost 3 wickets on 57 runs only but Ali Zaryab Asif and Mohammad Taha started building partnership and contributed 61 runs. Ali Zaryab scored 59. Pakistan U-19 lost 7 wickets on 165 runs at that stage Skipper Hasan Khan and tale-ender Muhammad Musa saved Pakistan from a total loss to win the match by 3 wickets. Hasan Khan scored 24 not out while Musa remained unbeaten on 23 runs. Ali Zaryab was declared man of the match.

It is to be mentioning here that Afghanistan defeated Pakistan in the first match while Pakistan outplayed Ireland in its second match of group D. Pakistan and Afghanistan have qualified for the quarterfinals from group D.