May 03, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 26, 1429

PORT-OF-SPAIN, May 2: Pakistan will lock horns with hosts West Indies in the International U-15 Championship final after both teams recorded big wins in their respective semi-final matches on Thursday.

After electing to bat first, Malaysia reached a solid position at one stage as Zubair Asyraf (39) and Keithan Goonasagaran (33) guided them to 82 for 1. But their innings then collapsed as the man-of-the-match Kaverm Hodge (4-33) and Derone Davis (2-23) dismissed Malaysia for 160 with one ball remaining.

The West Indies reached the victory target in 24.5 overs with Ramon Senior leading the charge with an unbeaten 69 while Kraigg Brathwaite making 52, his fifth half-century in seven innings.

In the other pre-final, a repeat of the knockout semi-final, Pakistan cruised to a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh.

After choosing to bat first, Bangladesh lost three early wickets to Kumail Abbas who was later declared the man-of-the-match, slipping to 13 for 3, and despite a plucky 66 from Didar Hossain they were bowled out for 126.

Pakistan’s openers Mohammad Babar (64) and Mohammad Naeem (36) put on 89. Though they experienced a mini collapse, Pakistan eased home in 31.4 overs.

Pakistan had edged out the West Indies by two runs in the knockout tournament final played last week.

Summarised scores:

MALAYSIA U-15 160 in 49.5 overs (Zubair Asyraf 39, Keithan Goonasagaran 33, Ahmed Zahid 30 not out; Kaverm Hodge 4-33, Derone Davis 2-23); WEST INDIES U-15 166 for 2 in 24.5 overs (Ramon Senior 69 not out, Kraigg Brathwaite 52, S. Ambris 35 not out).

BANGLADESH U-15 126 in 47.5 overs (Didar Hossain 66; Kumail Abbas 3-22, Usman Qadir 2-26, Zafar Gohar 2-12); PAKISTAN U-15 130 for 4 in 31.4 overs (Babar Azam 64, Mohammad Naeem 36; Nasum Ahmed 3-13).—Agencies