Dubai: Pakistan U19 have outclassed India by eight wickets in the fifth match of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-19s Asia Cup at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai on Sunday.
Azan Awais was Pakistan’s hero of the day as the left-handed batter scored a spectacular 105 off 130 with 10 boundaries and propelled the Green Shirts to a comfortable win.
Pakistan didn’t have the greatest start as Shamyl Hussain was removed for just 8 runs in the fifth over leaving his side 28-1. However, Shahzaib Khan’s 110-run stand with Awais provided Pakistan security.
Shahzaib departed after playing a fantastic innings of 63 runs. After his departure, Awais and skipper Saad Baig combined for 125 runs which ultimately won the game.
Baag was Pakistan’s second top-scorer of the day with a rapid 68 off 51 deliveries courtesy of eight fours and a six.
Earlier, India set a 260-run target for Pakistan, courtesy of Sachin Dhas’ late runs down the order.
The Green Shirts started on a high note as Amir Hassan and Mohammad Zeeshan had taken two early wickets, leaving the Blues 46-2 in just 11.2 overs.
However, opener Adarsh Singh formed a much-needed 93-run stand with middle-order batter and skipper Uday Saharan as the former scored 62 off 81 before becoming the victim of Arafat Minhas.
After Singh’s wicket, India lost two more wickets in quick succession, but Saharan stayed on the pitch and kept on contributing crucial runs.
He was eventually removed by Ubaid Shah for 60 runs, leaving India 206-6 in 42.5 overs.
It looked like the Men in Green would restrict the Blues within 230 runs but Sachin Dhas continued to charge against the Green Shirts and eventually took his side to a competitive 260-run target by scoring a quick 58 off 32 with two fours and three sixes.
Zeeshan starred for Pakistan with four wickets to his name while Amir and Ubaid bagged two each.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Playing XIs
India U19: Adarsh Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Rudra Patel, Uday Saharan (c), Musheer Khan, Sachin Dhas, Aravelly Avanish (wk), Saumy Pandey, Murugan Abhishek, Raj Limbani, Naman Tiwari
Pakistan U19: Shamyl Hussain, Shahzaib Khan, Azan Awais, Saad Baig (c & wk), Mohammad Zeeshan, Mohammad Riazullah, Tayyab Arif, Arafat Minhas, Ali Asfand, Amir Hassan, Ubaid Shah
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