BENONI: A magnificent fast bowling show spearheaded by speed merchant Ubaid Shah helped Pakistan edge out Bangladesh in a low-scoring ICC U-19 World Cup Super Six match at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Saturday.
With this thrilling victory in Group 1, the Saad Baig-captained Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals where they face Australia in Benoni on Feb 8. India take on hosts South Africa in the other last-four clash on Feb 6 at the same venue.
Chasing 156, Bangladesh succumbed to some high-quality fast bowling by the Green-shirts who dismissed their opponents in 35.5 overs.
Right-armer Ubaid (5-44) with his raw pace and swing along with pace mate Ali Raza (3-44) rattled Bangladesh who kept losing wickets regularly in what looked like a pretty modest pursuit.
Required run-rate was never an issue for Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby-led Bangladesh as they dropped to 83-6 in 19.2 overs.
A much-needed 40-run stand between Mohammad Shihab James (26 off 43, three fours) and Mahfuzur (13 off 30) brought Bangladesh back into the game. But at this stage the 17-year-old Ubaid in a vital breakthrough sent Shihab back to the pavilion; he was soon followed by Mahfuzur who was dismissed by Ali.
Iqbal Hossain Emon’s run-out (nought) further reduced Bangladesh to 127-9. The final-wicket stand of 23 between Rohanat Doullah Borson (21 not out off 24) and last man Maruf Mridha (four) was a last-ditch push by Bangladesh before pacer Mohammad Zeeshan wrapped up the innings by bowling Maruf.
Earlier after electing to field first, Bangladesh restricted Pakistan to 155 all out in 40.4 overs with paceman Rohanat (4-24 in eight overs) and off-spinner Sheikh Paevez Jibon (4-24) doing most of the damage.
Batting at number seven, Arafat Minhas top-scored with 34 off 40 balls with four boundaries and a six while opener Shahzaib Khan struck a 67-ball 26 containing three fours.
Ubaid was named the player-of-the-match.
In the other two Super Six matches played on Saturday, England outplayed Zimbabwe by 146 runs at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom while Ireland stunned New Zealand by 41 runs on DLS Method at the Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein.
Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2024
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