AL AMERAT, Oman (The Thursday Times) — Defending champions Pakistan reached the final of the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup on Thursday, beating Bangladesh by nine wickets in the first semi-final at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground, with fast bowler Rizwanullah taking five wickets for 30 runs.
Bangladesh chose to bat and were bowled out for 138 in 31.4 overs. Abdullah Al Muhi top-scored with 50 off 45 balls and added 43 for the third wicket with captain Farid Hasan, who made 17, but no other partnership followed.
Rizwanullah’s five wickets came in eight overs, and Pakistan’s other bowlers shared the rest.
Openers settle it
Openers Usman Khan and Hayam Khan put on 123 for the first wicket to take the game away from Bangladesh. Hayam made 69 off 72 balls before he was out, and Usman finished unbeaten on 64 off 54, with seven fours and two sixes, as Pakistan reached 141 for one in 21.5 overs. Abdul Qadir was not out on 8.
Pakistan, unbeaten in the tournament, will play the winner of the second semi-final between India and Afghanistan in Saturday’s final. They beat India in the group stage, when Hamza Zahoor made an unbeaten century.
