Pakistan U19 is set to go head-to-head with UAE U19 in the semi-finals of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2023 at the ICC Academy Ground Dubai on December 15, 2023, at 0930 am local time.
Having dominated Group A with an unbeaten record, Pakistan U19’s journey has been nothing short of spectacular. In a standout performance against Nepal U19, Mohammad Zeeshan’s exceptional display secured him the player of the match award, contributing six wickets for 19 runs and 20 runs off eight balls in a seven-wicket victory.
Azan Awais took the spotlight against India U19 with an unbeaten innings of 105 runs off 130 balls, guiding Pakistan to an eight-wicket triumph.
In the game against Afghanistan, Shamyl Hussain’s brilliance with the bat (75 runs off 54 balls) and one wicket for eight runs earned him the player of the match title, securing an 83-run win for Pakistan.
The semi-final promises an exhilarating contest as both teams strive for a coveted spot in the tournament finale. UAE U19, hosting the event and competing fiercely in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Japan, and Sri Lanka, has showcased commendable form.
Recalling their previous encounter in 2021, Pakistan U19 emerged victorious by 21 runs at the ICC Academy Ground. Qasim Akram’s all-round contribution (50 runs, 67 balls, and three wickets for 52 runs) earned him the player of the match title.
Expressing confidence, Pakistan captain Saad Baig stated, “Our focus is on winning the U19 Asia Cup. We’ve performed well in the previous games, but our ultimate goal is to deliver on the big stage. We are committed to identifying and rectifying mistakes to elevate our performance in the upcoming fixtures.”
