Pakistan started their ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign with a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their first match at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Chasing an easy target of 127 runs, Pakistan completed the winning mission by scoring 129 for 4 in 31.3 overs with the opening batsman Zeeshan Malik topscoring with 29 off 37 balls including five boundaries. Hasan Mohsin who was adjudged man of the match, added an unbeaten 28 off 36 balls involving four boundaries and one six. Mohammad Umar (25 off 63b; 2×4, 1×6), Saif Badar (17 off 16b; 2×4, 1×6) and Umair Masood (not out 13 off 20b; 3×4) were the other double digit scorers for the side. Zia-ur-Rehman took two wickets for 31 runs while Rashid Khan bagged one wicket for 34 runs, both delivering 10 overs. Sent in to bat first, the ICC associated nation Afghanistan scored a meager 126 for all in 41.2 overs with the left-handed batsman Tariq Stanikzai’s half century of 53 off 76 balls including five boundaries and one six. Opener Karim Janat scored 27 off 32 balls involving five boundaries while number-4 batsman Ikram Faizi (19 off 59; 1×4) was another double figure scorer for Afghanistan. Shadab Khan stormed for his career best four-for conceding nine runs in five overs. Hasan Mohsin grabbed three wickets for 24 runs in six overs while Saif Badar, Hasan Khan and Ahmad Shafiq took one wicket each for one, 18 and 33 runs. — Sylhet, Jan 28 (UNB)
