Shahzaib, Subhan power Pakistan into U-19 Asia Cup semi-final
DUBAI – Pakistan crushed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 69 runs in match seven to reach the semi-final of the U19 Asia Cup 2024 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
A magical bowling spell by Abdul Subhan restricted the UAE to 245 as the hosts were chasing a target of 315 runs.
The UAE lost its top order in quick session before, Ethan D’souza and Rayan Khan stitched the strong partnership as they made 84 and 50, respectively.
After their dismissal, no player from middle and tail order could stay for long due to impressive bowling by Pakistan.
Earlier, fireworks by Shahzaib Khan and Riazullah helped Pakistan set a target of 315 runs for the UAE.
Openers Usman Khan and Shahzaib took a strong start before Uddish Sri removed former for 41. At this point Riaz joined Shahzaib and they showed splendid knock with bat.
Shahziab made 132 off 136 while Riaz 106 off 91 and Fahamul Haq scored 2 run, helping their side to set a tough total for the UAE.
For the UAE, Noor Ayobi took two wickets while Uddish Sri claimed one wicket.
On Saturday, Opener Shahzaib Khan stroked a superlative 159 as Pakistan convincingly defeated India by 43 runs in a Group-A fixture.
Shahzaib’s 147-ball knock, featuring five fours and 10 sixes, propelled Pakistan to a total of 281 for seven in their allotted 50 overs. In reply, India U19 were bowled out for 238 in 47.1 overs after slipping to 81 for four and then 190 for nine. Promising fast bowler Ali Raza starred with the ball, claiming three wickets for 36 runs.
The Mansehra-born Shahzaib laid a solid foundation with fellow opener Usman Khan, sharing a 160-run stand in 30.4 overs. Usman contributed a steady 94-ball 60, including six boundaries. Both openers came into this match in fine form, having scored 330 and 314 runs, respectively in a recent tri-series involving Afghanistan and hosts UAE.
For the third wicket, Shahzaib added 71 runs with Muhammad Riazullah (27). Pakistan batters accelerated towards the end, adding 74 runs in the last 10 overs after reaching 207 for two in 40 overs. Captain Saad Baig’s decision to bat first proved fruitful as his side posted a challenging total of 281.
Fast bowler Samarth Nagaraj was the standout performer for India, taking three wickets for 45 runs, while Ayush Mhatre chipped in with two for 30.
India began their chase positively but suffered early blows. Abdul Subhan dismissed Mhatre (20) at 28 in 3.4 overs before Ali Raza removed Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the next over. Usman Khan and Faham-ul-Haq added to India’s woes, reducing them to 81 for four.
A 53-run fifth-wicket partnership between Nikhil Kumar and Kiran Chormale briefly revived India. However, Faham broke the stand by dismissing Chormale (20). Kumar, who top-scored with a 77-ball 67, added 40 runs with wicketkeeper-batter Harvansh Pangalia (26) before falling to off-spinner Naveed Ahmed Khan at 174 in the 36th over.
For Pakistan, Ali Raza’s figures of 9-1-36-3 stood out, while Abdul Subhan (2-45) and Faham-ul-Haq (2-41) provided excellent support.
