News by “Sana Ullah“
United Arab Emirates Win Thriller by 11 Runs
Dubai, December 15, 2023
Pakistan Under-19 cricket team suffered a heartbreaking 11-run defeat to United Arab Emirates Under-19s in the semi-final of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup in Dubai on Friday.
As a result, United Arab Emirates Under-19s will now face Bangladesh Under-19s in the final, after Bangladesh defeated India Under-19s by four wickets in the other semi-final.
Pakistan Under-19s won the toss and elected to field first in the semi-final played at the ICC Academy Oval on Friday.
United Arab Emirates Under-19s scored 193 runs for the loss of six wickets in 47.5 overs. Captain Ayan Afzal Khan top-scored with 55 runs off 70 balls, while Aryansh Sharma scored 46 runs off 60 balls.
Ubaid Shah was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, taking four wickets for 44 runs. Irfanullah Mohmand and Ali Asfand took two wickets each.
Pakistan Under-19s’ innings got off to a poor start as openers Kamran Hussain and Shahzeb Khan were dismissed for ducks inside the first three overs.
Captain Saad Baig and Azan Ali then put on a 83-run partnership for the third wicket to steady the ship. Azan Ali scored 41 runs off 46 balls, while Saad Baig made 50 runs off 62 balls.
However, the loss of both batsmen in quick succession put Pakistan Under-19s in trouble.
Riyadhullah (4), Irfanullah Mohmand (8), and Ali Asfand (16) all failed to make a significant impact, and when Saad Baig was dismissed for 50 in the 39th over, Pakistan Under-19s were in deep trouble.
Aamer Hussain (27) and Mohammad Zeeshan (10) tried to fight back, but it was too little too late. Pakistan Under-19s were bowled out for 182 runs in 49.3 overs.
Aman Ahmad and Hardik Pai took two wickets each for United Arab Emirates Under-19s. Pakistan Under-19s also suffered three run-outs.
The win is a major breakthrough for United Arab Emirates Under-19s, who have never previously reached the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup.
Key Takeaways:
- Pakistan Under-19s suffered a heartbreaking 11-run defeat to United Arab Emirates Under-19s in the semi-final of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup.
- United Arab Emirates Under-19s will now face Bangladesh Under-19s in the final.
- Pakistan Under-19s’ innings got off to a poor start, losing both openers inside the first three overs.
- Captain Saad Baig and Azan Ali put on a 83-run partnership for the third wicket, but the loss of both batsmen in quick succession put Pakistan Under-19s in trouble.
- Aamer Hussain and Mohammad Zeeshan tried to fight back, but it was too little too late.
- United Arab Emirates Under-19s took two wickets each for Aman Ahmad and Hardik Pai.
