PAK U19 VS AFG U19 MATCH 5

Right then, that is from this one-sided match where Pakistan Under-19 opens their tally while Afghanistan Under-19 will need to wait a bit longer. However, two other Asian rivals are going against each other at the same time as India-U19 are on the cusp of a win against Bangladesh-U19 in their opening game of the ICC U-19 World Cup. You can just switch tabs to catch all the action of that game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Saad Baig, the victorious skipper of Pakistan Under-19 starts by praising Shahzaib Khan's knock as it was really important for the team. He adds that their opposition bowled pretty well but they carried the partnership and got the result they wanted. He reckons that his team played their natural game and that's why the teamwork was really good. He continues that his bowling unit started attacking the stumps which was the plan for the team. He thinks that Mohammad Zeeshan is a better bowler with the semi-new ball and earlier Ahmad Hassan was swinging the ball well so that's why he brought him back into attack. He also thinks that the venue suited Pakistan players, and he would like to correct the mistakes they made in this game.

Naseer Khan Maroofkhil, the captain of Afghanistan Under-19 says that they spilled too many catches and because of that their opposition made such a huge score on the board. He praises their pace attack for doing pretty well in the match which is a positive side but they need to work on their spinners. He also states that the wicket was not suitable for spinners but they will work on it as well. But he is not putting his chin down and says that Afghanistan will come back stronger into the contest in the next fixtures.

Shahzaib Khan is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant century. He thanks almighty for his performance as it is a big stage to perform and he has done it very well. He adds that there was a bit of swing at the early stage of the innings and he tried to carry the partnership and stay on the pitch till the end of the inning. He also states that he played with the wind and they were aware that there would be a huge gust of wind flow in the stadium, so he tried to play all the shots in the gaps.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, Pakistan Under-19 posted a big total on the board courtesy of a lovely ton from Shahzaib Khan, a quick-fire half-century from skipper Saad Baig, and good contributions from Riaz Ullah and Ubaid Shah. Khalil Ahmed was the best bowler for Afghanistan Under-19 with four wickets while Bashir Ahmad got a couple. Allah Mohammad and Naseer Khan Maroofkhil chipped in with one each. While chasing, their batters could handle the pace arsenal of Pakistan and ultimately faced a massive defeat.

Pakistan Under-19, on the other hand, were absolutely amazing with the ball. The two opening bowlers made early inroads which set the tone for them. They never really let the Afghan batters settle in and kept the pressure at all times. Their pacers used the conditions excellently and hit the right line and lengths to get the reward. Ubaid Shah was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while the giant, Mohammad Zeeshan got three. Amir Hassan and Ahmad Hassan chipped in with one each which was enough to bowl their opposition out for just 103 to secure the win.

Afghanistan Under-19 needed to break the record for the highest successful chase at this ground, and for that, they needed a good start which was not the case. They lost two early wickets which put them on the back foot. Then Hassan Eisakhil and Sohail Khan Zurmati tried to steady things with a 40-run stand, but the former was dismissed just before the end of the Powerplay. It turned out to be the only significant partnership as their batters got starts in the middle but could not convert them and they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. They lost their last five wickets for just 12 runs and suffered a huge defeat by a huge margin of 181 runs which could hurt them badly later in the tournament.

A fantastic victory for Pakistan Under-19! They were exceptional in all three departments and completely outplayed the Afghans to continue their dominance over the neighbours. This win was set up by the exceptional hundred from Shahzaib Khan while the Pakistani pacers who historically have a good record at this ground secured an easy win. Afghans will need to erase this performance from their memories quickly and come back stronger in the upcoming games.

OUT! RUN OUT on FREE HIT! That is something we don't see usually! This one is fired on middle and leg, angling in. Khalil Ahmed opens his stance and goes for a swat to the leg side but gets the outer edge of his willow. The ball rolls towards the cover region and he sets off for a single. Bashir Ahmad rejects the run, as the fielder chases the ball rapidly and throws it to the striker's end but misses the direct hit However, Saad Baig runs forward, collects it into his gloves, and breaks the stumps. The umpire sends it upstairs and the replay shows that it is 'Touch and Go, with Ahmed trying to drag his bat in. The players think that the batter is safe and start to take their positions, but the third umpire presses the red light, and it is indeed out. Pakistan Under-19 win by 181 runs!

NO BALL AND FOUR! A great effort in he deep but goes in vain! This is full and outside off, Khalil Ahmed drills it through point, the fidler chases after it and dives forward to flick it back inside with his right hand, but his left hand touches the ropes at that moment. The umpire signals a boundary. It is also called a No Ball for overstepping. Free Hit coming up...

Another run out chance..missed! This is full and on middle, Khalil Ahmed tucks it to short mid-wicket, Bashir sets off for the run but is sent back, the fielder once again misses his shy at the bowler's end. Pakistan Under-19 cannot buy a direct hit here

So close! This is full and on middle, angling in, Bashir Ahmad backs away to slog it but misses as the ball just goes past the leg stump.

On a length and on middle, Bashir Ahmad heaves it towards mid-wicket and sets off for the run, but is sent back, the fidler misses his shy at the batter's end. A direct hit and the batter would have been a goner.

Back of a length and on middle, Bashir Ahmad goes for the pull but miscues it down the pitch.

Low full toss wide outside off. Bashir Ahmad clears his front foot to loft it over the cover region but misses again.

Huge appeal but the Umpire says nothing! Much fuller, wid outside off, angling away. Bashir Ahmad tries to swat it to his off side and gets beaten on the outer edge.