Pak sets up India clash in semis after defeating Afghanistan

BENONI: Pakistan will now face 4-time champion India in the semi-final on Tuesday in Potchefstroom. Pakistan chased a 190-run target with ease after bowling out Afghanistan for 189. Tuesday’s semi-final will be a repeat of the semi-final of the 2018 edition of the U-19 World Cup held in New Zealand. India U-19, led by Prithvi Shaw, had thrashed Pakistan by 203 runs in the said semi-final encounter.

Shubman Gill had hit an unbeaten hundred for India who posted 272/9 in 50 overs. In reply, Pakistan was bundled out for 69 after a 4-wicket haul from Ishan Porel.

On Friday, opener Mohammad Huraira led the chase with a 76-ball 64 during which he hit 8 boundaries and a six. Pakistan had a solid opening stand of 61 with Haider Ali chipping in with a 34-ball 28. Pakistan was in a spot of bother when Afghanistan bowler Noor Ahmad ran out Huraira at the non-striker’s end (Mankading). However, Qasim Akram and Mohammad Haris stiched an unbeaten 63-run stand to take Pakistan past the finish line.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan came up with an all-round effort to shoot out Afghanistan for 189. Mohammad Amir Khan led the show with 3 wickets and Fahad Munir finished with figures of 2/29. Both India and Pakistan have qualified for the semi-final without having lost a match in the U-19 World Cup yet.

While India topped Group A with 3 wins (over Sri Lanka, Japan and New Zealand), Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe and Scotland before its match against Bangladesh in Group C was washed out. India came up with a brilliant all-round show in the quarter-final, knocking out former champion Australia on January 28.

Brief scores: Afghanistan U-19 189 in 49.1 overs (F Zakhil 40, Rahmanullah 29, A Mohammadi 28, A Rahman 30, Amir Khan 3/58) lost to Pakistan U-19 (M Huraira 64, M Haris 29*)