Pakistan youths comfortably beat Afghanistan colts and reached the semi-final of ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020. In the semi-final of this tournament, Pakistan U19 will now face the defending champions India U19.
On Friday (31st January), Afghanistan U19 and Pakistan U19 met in the fourth Super League quarter-final of the ongoing ICC U19 CWC 2020 at Benoni. After winning the toss, Afghanistan U19 decided to bat first. However, their batsmen totally struggled in that game as they only managed to score 189 runs (49.1 overs) before losing all wickets.
While the opener and captain, Farhan Zakhil (40) was the highest run-scorer in that innings, the no.9 batsman Abdul Rahman (30) was the only other man to reach the 30-run mark in that innings. Only Rahmanullah (29) and Abid Mohammadi (28) were the other batsmen in that innings to cross the 20-run mark.
Among the Pakistan bowlers, the right-arm pacer Mohammad Amir Khan (3/58) took three wickets, and the leg-spinner Fahad Munir (2/29) bagged two wickets. Also, Tahir Hussain (1/28), Abbas Afridi (1/25), Aamir Ali (1/30) and Qasim Akram (1/15) each collected one wicket in that innings.
Pakistan U19 chased down the target in 41.4 overs after losing four wickets
In reply, the opener Mohammad Huraira played the massive role for Pakistan to chase the target comfortably. The Player of the Match Huraira scored 64 runs off 76 balls (8 fours and only six). Also, another opener Haider Ali (28), captain Rohail Nazir (22), Qasim Akram (25*) and Mohammad Haris (29*) provided important support in that innings as Pakistan U19 chased down that 190-run target in 41.1 overs after losing four wickets.
Among the Afghanistan bowlers, only Noor Ahmad (2/32) managed to open the wicket column while both the Pakistan openers were run out.
On 4th February 2020, the defending champions India will face Pakistan at Potchefstroom in the first semi-final of this tournament. Bangladesh and New Zealand will play the next semi-final of this tournament on 6th February at Potchefstroom.
The line-up for the Super League semi-finals is:
Game 1 on Tuesday: India v Pakistan
Game 2 on Thursday: New Zealand v Bangladesh
How do you see the games going?#U19CWC | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/bBAjGPvOEw
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 31, 2020
On Friday (31st January), England and Zimbabwe also met in the ninth place play-off semi-final of this U19 CWC 2020 at Kimberley. While England scored 286/9 (50 overs) after winning the toss, they bowled out Zimbabwe youths for 211 runs (40.5 overs) and won the match by 75 runs.