Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 13 runs

KABUL (Pajhwok): Pakistan U-19 have beaten Afghanistan U-19 by 13 runs in a tri-nation One-Day International (ODI) series match at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat firs. Openers Shahzaib Khan and Usman Khan hit half centuries to help their side set a 245 runs target for Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said in a statement.

Left-handed Usman, who had smashed a half century against Afghanistan in the previous match, slammed 88 runs off 77 deliveries, while Shahzib chipped in with 78.

For Afghanistan, Abdul Aziz Khan and Khatir Khan Stanikzai grabbed three wickets each, while Naseer Khan claimed two scalps.

Chasing the 245 runs target, Afghanistan were off to a shocking start as they lost opening batter Mahboob Taskin in the first over of the game.

However, Uzairullah Niazai and Faisal Shinozada then built a 104-run partnership to put Afghanistan in a commanding position.

Niazai scored 70 runs off 72 balls, while Faisal Shinozada smashed 47 off 48.

But Afghanistan’s lower order could not maintain the momentum and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. They were bundled out for 231 in the 47th over.

Ali Raza took four wickets, Faham-ul-Haq grabbed three and Abdul Subhan finished with two scalps for Pakistan.

Earlier, the national squad had trounced Pakistan U-19 and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) U-19 in their first and second encounters of the series aimed to help the teams prepare for the ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup 2024, which will be played in December.

Afghanistan will take on the hosts UAE in their fourth match in the series on November 24.

kk/mud