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DUBAI: Dominant Pakistan crushed Bangladesh by eight wickets to set up ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup final against arch-rivals India on Sunday.
Set partly 122 in a match reduced to 27 overs per side due to rain, Pakistan hit the winning runs on the third ball of the 16th over, losing two wickets in the process.
Pakistan had a poor start in pursuit of the target as opener Hamza Zahoor was sent back without scoring in the first over.
After an early blow, Sameer Minhas and Usman Khan paired up for an 86-run stand in 10.3 overs, which put the Green Shirts near the victory.
Usman Khan was trapped lbw for 27 off 26 with the help of two sixes and two fours. This was the only silver lining for depleted Bangladesh’s bowling attack.
Sameen Minhas stringed another 36*run stand with Ahmed Hussain to take his side into the final.
Minhas unbeaten 69* from 57 included six fours and two sixes while Hussain made 11 from 14 balls.
For Bangladesh, Samiun Basir and Iqbal Hossain Emon managed to take one apiece.
Earlier, pacer Abdul Subhan took a four-wicket haul to help his side bundle out Bangladesh for a modest total in the second semi-final of the ACC here at The Sevens Stadium on Friday.
Put into bat first, Pakistan skittled Bangladesh for 121 in 26.3 overs.
In-form opener Zawad Abrar and Rifat Beg added 24 in 4.4 overs, before both were removed in a span of two balls.
Following the early hiccup, skipper Azizul Hakim and Kalam Siddiki added a stitched brief partnership of 31, which brought the total over the 50-run mark.
After a brief stand, the Tigers’ batters were looking set, but Abdul Subhan took two in the 12th over to spark a collapse that they could never recover from.
As a result, they slumped from 55-3 to 73-6 in 15.4 overs. Skipper Aziz scored 20 from 26 balls with the help of a four and a six.
With Bangladesh in deep trouble, Samiun Basir, who top-scored with 33 off 37, took them over the 100-run mark. He hit six and a four in his crucial knock that provided his side with respite lower down the order.
Eventually, the whole team was bowled out before playing their allotted overs.
For Pakistan, Abdul Subhan starred with the ball, picking up a four-wicket haul in his six overs. Huzaifa Ahsan supported him well with two wickets to his name.
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