Ralphie Albert’s six-wicket haul helps England U19 defend 261 as Pakistan U19 fall agonisingly short in Arundel.
England U19 secured a dramatic 10-run victory over Pakistan U19 in the one-off Youth Test at Arundel Castle Cricket Club Ground on Saturday, with Ralphie Albert producing a match-winning six-wicket performance in the second innings.
England resumed the final day at 121 for one, holding a 149-run advantage, with Leo Selvey-Clinton and Issac Mohammed at the crease. Pakistan made an immediate breakthrough when Mohammad Sayyam dismissed Mohammed for 46 from 57 balls.
Albert then joined Selvey-Clinton and helped England build a crucial 75-run third-wicket stand. Selvey-Clinton completed a well-earned century before Mohammad Huzaifa ended his innings by having him stumped for 107 from 195 deliveries, including 15 boundaries.
Pakistan continued to make inroads as Sayyam dismissed Joe Moores, while Ahmed Hussain removed Albert for 40. England subsequently suffered a collapse, losing their final five wickets for only 21 runs and being bowled out for 233.
Ahmed Hussain led Pakistan’s bowling attack with four wickets for 23 runs, while Huzaifa claimed three and Sayyam picked up two wickets. England’s total gave Pakistan a target of 262 runs.
Pakistan began the chase positively, with Usman Khan and Aliyan Salman adding 50 for the opening wicket. Albert quickly changed the momentum by dismissing both openers and Ahmed, reducing Pakistan to 60 for three.
Captain Farhan Yousaf then joined Abdul Qadir, and the pair produced a vital 124-run partnership. Albert eventually broke the stand by dismissing Farhan for 47.
Qadir continued to fight and top-scored with an impressive 80 from 87 balls, featuring seven fours and a six. However, his dismissal triggered another tense phase in the chase.
Hasnain Abbas Dar kept Pakistan’s hopes alive, but England struck at crucial moments. Jack Nelson removed Hamza Zahoor and Mohammad Sayyam, while Albert dismissed Abdul Subhan.
Dar reduced the requirement to 11 runs before being dismissed while attempting a big shot. Nelson then completed England’s victory as Pakistan were bowled out for 251 in 62.1 overs.
Albert finished with six for 68, while Nelson claimed four for 36 to secure England U19’s thrilling 10-run win.