HARARE: The Pakistan U19 team celebrated their first win in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup by outplaying the Scotland U19 team in the 12th match at the Takashinga Sports Club with a marvellous six-wicket victory.
While taking on a target of 188, Pakistan displayed great teamwork and patience as they finished their chase with 190 runs for the loss of four wickets in 43.1 overs. Ali Hasan Baloch scored 15 runs only and was caught by the wicket-keeper off the bowling of Sameer Minhas, who scored 28 runs and was dismissed by off-spinner Ollie Jones as the team score read 48 for two.
The two left-handed batsmen Usman Khan and Ahmed Hussain formed an unbreakable bond of 111 runs for the third wicket. Usman emerged the principal scorer of the innings with 75 runs off 85 balls, comprising 5 fours and 2 sixes, while Ahmed scored 47 runs from 92 balls with 3 fours.
The Scottish team opened the innings by batting first; unfortunately, they were bowled out for a meagre total of 187 runs in 48.1 overs. Ali Raza was the outstanding bowler of the Pakistan team and he took 4 wickets for 37 runs. Momin Qamar, a left-arm spinner, was one of the bowlers who took 3 wickets for 46 runs. Fast bowler Abdul Subhan got 2 batsmen out, and Mohammad Sayyam took 1 wicket.
The leading wicket-taker for batsmen was Thomas Knight from the Scottish team with his 37 runs; also Finnlay Jones and Ollie Jones were added to the scoreboard with 33 and 30 runs respectively.
Usman Khan was the Player of the Match for his excellent fifty.
This victory was Pakistan’s second encounter after their loss to England in the first match and it still keeps them in the race as they are set to meet Zimbabwe in their last Group C match on the 22nd of January.
