Cricket: Pakistan U19 register third win
Team continues unbeaten run in Tri-Nation Series.
A superb all-round performance ensured Pakistan under-19 secured their third successive win in the Tri-Nation Series, defeating Zimbabwe under-19 by a comfortable 90-run margin at the Bridge House School, Franschhoek.
Sami Aslam and Babar Azam, who hit his third consecutive half-century, laid the foundation for the 306-run total before Ehsan Adil and Usman Qadir pegged back Zimbabwe to dismiss them for 215.
Batsmen set up win
Aslam and Azam put on 148 for the opening wicket before Zimbabwe hit back with three quick wickets. However, Umar Waheed, named man of the match, combined with Mohammad Nawaz to take Pakistan past the 300-run mark.
Waheed was unbeaten on 68, made off just 55 deliveries, and hit five boundaries and three sixes. Together with Nawaz, Waheed provided the final onslaught Pakistan were looking for that made the run-chase difficult for the opponents.
In reply, Zimbabwe were off to a good start. However, a wicket in the 12th over derailed their progress as they were reduced from 62 for no loss to 98 for five. Down and out, Ryan Burl tried to consolidate but to no avail.
Adil, who finished with three for 29, and Qadir provided Pakistan with regular breakthroughs as Zimbabwe never got in the hunt.
The loss was Zimbabwe’s third in three matches while Pakistan, having already qualified for the January 22 final where they will face South Africa under-19, get ready to face the hosts in their last group match today.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2012.
Sami Aslam and Babar Azam, who hit his third consecutive half-century, laid the foundation for the 306-run total before Ehsan Adil and Usman Qadir pegged back Zimbabwe to dismiss them for 215.
Batsmen set up win
Aslam and Azam put on 148 for the opening wicket before Zimbabwe hit back with three quick wickets. However, Umar Waheed, named man of the match, combined with Mohammad Nawaz to take Pakistan past the 300-run mark.
Waheed was unbeaten on 68, made off just 55 deliveries, and hit five boundaries and three sixes. Together with Nawaz, Waheed provided the final onslaught Pakistan were looking for that made the run-chase difficult for the opponents.
In reply, Zimbabwe were off to a good start. However, a wicket in the 12th over derailed their progress as they were reduced from 62 for no loss to 98 for five. Down and out, Ryan Burl tried to consolidate but to no avail.
Adil, who finished with three for 29, and Qadir provided Pakistan with regular breakthroughs as Zimbabwe never got in the hunt.
The loss was Zimbabwe’s third in three matches while Pakistan, having already qualified for the January 22 final where they will face South Africa under-19, get ready to face the hosts in their last group match today.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2012.