DUBAI: Shahzaib Khan played a stellar knock of 159 runs, followed by a strong bowling performance as Pakistan secured a 44-run victory over arch-rivals India in the ACC U19 Asia Cup here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The India U19 team were bundled for 237 runs while chasing a target of 282, thanks to a collective effort from the Pakistan bowlers.
Ali Raza led Pakistan’s attack with three wickets, while Abdul Subhan and Faham-ul-Haq bagged two wickets each. Naveed Ahmed Khan and Usman Khan also chipped in with a wicket each.
India had a shaky start to the run-chase as they lost opening batters Ayush Mhatre (20) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (1) in the span of three balls with only 28 runs on the board.
They were soon reduced to 81-4 before Nikhil Kumar and Kiran Chormale (20) joined hands to stitch a 53-run partnership. However, Faham-ul-Haq castled Chormale to halt India’s momentum.
Nikhil Kumar top-scored with 67 runs from 77 balls, which featured six boundaries and three sixes before he fell prey to Naveed Ahmed Khan leaving his team reeling at 174-6.
Ali Raza removed Harvansh Pangalia (26) and Samarth Nagaraj (0) on back-to-back deliveries while Hardik Raj was dismissed by Abdul Subhan to keep Pakistan in touching distance of the victory.
However, Mohamed Enaan played a quick cameo of 30 runs from 22 balls, adding 48 runs for the last wicket, to give India a glimmering hope before he got run out.
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Earlier, Pakistan U19 captain Saad Baig opted to bat first when the coin flipped in his favour and the opening batters proved the decision right.
Shahzaib Khan and Usman Khan constructed a solid 130-run opening partnership to the frustration of Indian bowlers.
Usman played a 60-run knock from 94 balls with the help of six boundaries he fell prey to Ayush Mhatre. New batter Haroon Arshad (3) was also dismissed by Mhatre in the next over.
Shahzaib then stitched a 71-run stand for the third wicket with Muhammad Riazullah (27) to take Pakistan’s total to 241 in the 44th over before Samarth Nagaraj removed the latter.
India did not allow new batters to settle as Pakistan U19 lost wickets at an alarming rate and slipped to 274-7.
Shahzaib was the last wicket to fall after waging a lone war with a 159-run knock from 147 balls, which featured five boundaries and ten sixes.
Umar Zaib (2) and Naveed Ahmed Khan (5) remained unbeaten as Pakistan managed 281-7 in their allocated 50 overs.
For India U19, Samarth Nagaraj took three wickets, while Ayush Mhatre bagged two. Yudhajit Guha and Kiran Chormale managed one wicket each.
Pakistan will face the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their second match of the ACC U19 Asia Cup on 2 December, meanwhile, India will face Japan on the same day.
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