In a thrilling encounter at the ACC U-19 Asia Cup in Dubai, Pakistan secured a convincing win against Afghanistan in the final group match, triumphing by 83 runs. This victory marked Pakistan’s third consecutive success in the tournament, earning them a well-deserved spot in the semifinals.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Afghanistan faced a formidable target set by the Pakistani team. Pakistan posted a commanding total of 303 runs in 48 overs, with openers Shoaib Hussain and Shahzaib Khan contributing 75 and 79 runs, respectively. Riazullah showcased his batting prowess with an impressive inning of 73 runs.
In response, Afghanistan struggled against the disciplined Pakistani bowlers, managing to score only 220 runs in 49 overs. Despite Noman Shah’s resilient 54-run innings, the Afghan team faced a comprehensive defeat. The Pakistani bowling attack, led by Ubaid Shah and Tayyab Arif, took three wickets each, while Kabeer Khalil secured two wickets, and Aamir Hussain and Shoaib claimed one wicket each.
With this triumph, Pakistan topped Group A, having previously defeated Nepal and India in the tournament. The comprehensive victories have solidified Pakistan’s position as a formidable contender in the ACC U-19 Asia Cup.
Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raja, praised the young talents and expressed optimism about their continued success in the tournament. Pakistan will now advance to the semifinals, where they will face strong competition in pursuit of the coveted U-19 Asia Cup title.
This triumph reflects the promising talent in Pakistan’s youth cricket, with the team displaying a combination of skillful batting and disciplined bowling. As the journey continues in the tournament, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await Pakistan’s performance in the semifinals, expecting more thrilling moments from the talented U-19 squad.
