In what was built up as a tense clash between two neighbouring countries, Pakistan’s all-round bowling effort combined with a solid batting performance, led by half-centurion Mohammad Huraira, to consign Afghanistan to a six-wicket defeat in the quarter-final of the U-19 World Cup, in Benoni. Pakistan’s win sets them up for a mouth-watering semi-final clash against defending champions India, while Afghanistan will take on Australia in the fifth-place playoff.
Although the win was a straightforward one for Pakistan, it featured a moment of quick-thinking from Afghanistan’s left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad, who ran out opener Huraira for 64 in the 28th over for walking out of his crease at the non-strikers’ end. However, that dismissal did not alter the eventuality of the game. The unbeaten fourth-wicket stand between Qasim Ahmed (25) and Mohammad Haris (29) took Pakistan to victory in the 42nd over, much to the delight of the few Pakistan fans who had come to the ground.
“Our batsmen did not take the responsibility today, and that’s where we lost,” Afghanistan captain Farhan Zakhil told ESPNcricinfo after the match. “We want to congratulate Pakistan on the way they controlled the game. They deserved to win today.” Cricinfo
