Prolific Afghanistan youngsters have done it again in style against Pakistan Under-19 team in the opener of the ICC 2018 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand while sealing the match by five wickets and 15 balls to spare, as Twittersphere hailed the efforts of Afghan colts.
In the first game of the Group D at Whangarei Afghanistan chased down the target of 189 comfortably in 47.3 overs, as Darwish Rasooli remained unbeaten on 76 off 78 deliveries. His innings was comprised of four boundaries and two sixes.
The pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan was Azmatullah Omarzai and Qais Ahmed, who bagged three wickets each with fast bowling spearhead Naveen-ul-Haq claimed two wickets and Zahir Khan and Nisar Wahdat picked wicket apiece.
In morning, Pakistan skipper Hasan Khan won the toss and opted to bat first which further saw the side was bundled out on 188 in 47.4 overs.
The young team has risen to the occasion and did wonders in recent Pakistan and it could not be termed an upset win in any way for the unit from war-torn country Afghanistan.
Moreover, Pakistan U-19 team had a miserable start when Muhammad Zaid Alam was dismissed by Naveen on the very second delivery of Pakistan innings.
However, the only hope for Pakistan was wicketkeeper-batsman Rohail Nazir, who scored 105-ball 81 which saw him registering nine boundaries as on the other side, the wickets kept falling at regular intervals.
Interestingly, it was the third-straight win for Afghanistan over Pakistan in the recent past fixtures.
Earlier, in November 2017, promising Afghanistan thrashed Pakistan U-19 by 185 runs in the Asia Cup final at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
The emerging 16-year-old star Mujeeb Zadran has bamboozled Pakistan with the spin-bowling which simultaneously saw him scaling figures of five for 13 – to see Pakistan U-19 being dismissed on 643 after Afghanistan U-19 team post 248 on board.
With so much on an offer during the ongoing twelfth edition of U-19 World Cup and third overall in England, Afghan lads have a lot to prove and their potential has already grabbed the headlines in the Asian Cricket Council’s U-19 World Cup 2017.
This is what unfolded over after Under-19 Afghanistan team opened the account following thorough all-round performance:
https://twitter.com/FazeelaSaba1/status/952055173207199744
So Pakistan lost twice on the same day in New Zealand #NZvPAK #U19WC
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/AWBiggs/status/952089020665769984
Pakistan in last 24 hours:
1.Lost to India in Visually impaired World Cup..
2. All out for 74 vs NZ in ODI..
3. Lost to Afghanistan in Under 19 World Cup..
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) January 13, 2018
Congratulations to Afghanistan Cricket Team for their spectacular victory over Pakistan at the #ICC U-19 #Cricket #WorldCup2018. Our players played very sensibly & professionally and made the nation proud. All the best to our heroes for the rest of the run! #AFGvsPAK #AFGu19Stars pic.twitter.com/ckCffkSR9z
— Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (@DrabdullahCE) January 13, 2018
Not a good day for Pakistan cricket teams in New Zealand. The senior team is bowled out for 74 runs & the U19 team has lost their World Cup opener against Afghanistan.
— Moulin (@Moulinparikh) January 13, 2018
Today's Surprise:
1. Afghanistan beat Pakistan in U19 World Cup.
2. Ajinkya Rahane not selected for the second test.
3. Bhuvi also not selected.
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) January 13, 2018
?#Pakistan Senior Team Lost By 183 Runs Against New Zealand
?#Pakistan U19 Team Lost To Afghanistan U19 In 1st Match Of #U19CWC
?#Pakistan Blind Team Lost To India ??3 Moral Victories In 24 Hours???#PAKvNZ #PAKvsNZ #NZvPAK #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/04QycwoSuT
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) January 13, 2018
A proud moment for everyone! We congratulate #Afghanistan Cricket Team for their victory at the #ICC U-19 #Cricket in #WorldCup2018. pic.twitter.com/bZWabEB6mM
— UNDP Afghanistan (@UNDPaf) January 13, 2018
Follow Under-19 World Cup here: 2018 Under-19 World Cup, New Zealand