The Pakistan U19 cricket team secured their third consecutive victory in the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup by delivering a resounding ten-wicket triumph over New Zealand U19 in Match 22.
With earlier wins against Afghanistan U19 and Nepal U19, Pakistan concluded the group stage with an impeccable unbeaten record, showcasing their prowess on the international stage.
The dynamic opening duo of Shahzaib Khan and Shamyl Hussain showcased their batting prowess as they effortlessly chased down the modest target of 141 set by New Zealand U19 in just 25.2 overs.
Shahzaib’s aggressive innings of 80 not out, embellished with ten boundaries and three sixes, displayed his impeccable strokeplay and dominance.
Shamyl, complementing Shahzaib’s brilliance, provided a solid foundation with an unbeaten 54 off 66 deliveries, contributing significantly to the comprehensive ten-wicket victory.
New Zealand’s decision to bat first proved to be ill-fated as Ubaid Shah’s exceptional bowling spell wreaked havoc early in the innings. Luke Watson, Tom Jones, and Snehith Reddy all succumbed to Ubaid’s brilliance, leaving New Zealand reeling at 28-3 within the initial seven overs.
Despite the efforts of Lachlan Stackpole and Oliver Tewatiya to stabilize with a 61-run partnership, a breakthrough by Naveed Ahmed Khan triggered a significant collapse, limiting New Zealand to a total of 140 all out in 38 overs.
Arafat Minhas, replicating his outstanding performance against Nepal U19, continued his bowling prowess by claiming three wickets for a mere six runs, including two maiden overs.
Shahzaib Khan’s heroic knock earned him the prestigious Player of the Match award for the second time in the tournament, solidifying his impact on the team’s success.
With their victory, Pakistan U19 secured the top position in Group D and advanced to the Super Six round, where they will face the second and third-placed teams from Group A.
The upcoming challenges for Pakistan U19 include a clash with A3 in Potchefstroom on 30 January and a fixture against A2 in Benoni on 3 February.
The team’s remarkable performance and unbeaten streak make them a formidable force as they continue their journey in the quest for U19 World Cup glory.
