DUBAI: Pakistan on Tuesday qualified for the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2023 semi-finals with an 83-run thrashing of Afghanistan in their group stage fixture at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
Pakistan, unbeaten in the tournament so far, amassed a daunting total of 303 in 48 overs with help of fifties scored by Shamyl Hussain, Shahzaib Khan and Riaz Ullah.
Opener Shahzaib Khan remained top-scorer with 79 from 95 balls with nine boundaries and a six to his name. His opening part Shamyl Hussain struck seven fours and five maximums on his way to 54-ball 75.
3ï¸âƒ£ wins in a row!
Pakistan U19 finish the group stage unbeaten after an all-round bowling display 💪#PAKvAFG | #PakistanFutureStars pic.twitter.com/Zko3PjeglH
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 12, 2023
Riaz Ullah chipped in with his 73 off 69 deliveries. His knock included five boundaries and two sixes.
Bashir Ahmad and Faridoon Dawoodzai took three wickets each.
Afghanistan put on a hapless batting performance as the side were dismissed for 220 in 48.4 overs. Wicketkeeper Numan Shah was the only batter who provided resistance to Pakistan bowlers as he struck a half-century.
Pakistan U19 pacers doing the damage at the start 🔥
Afghanistan U19 are 79-4 in 15 overs with Ubaid Shah and Khubaib Khalil picking up two wickets each ðŸ#PAKvAFG | #PakistanFutureStars pic.twitter.com/Rs7huQFLxw
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 12, 2023
He top-scored with 54 from 78 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six. Wafiullah Tarakhil chipped in with his 34-ball 32.
Ubaid Shah was the pick of Pakistan bowlers with his figures of 3-19 in seven overs. Tayyab Arif also dismissed three Afghanistan batters as well.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan started the U19 Asia Cup 2023 campaign with a seven-wicket win over Nepal. They beat arch-rivals India by the same margin as well in their following game.
