Pakistan’s U19 men’s team has successfully qualified for the 2024 U19 World Cup Semi-Finals. The Boys in Green defeated Bangladesh U19 in their second Super Six match and became the second team, along with India, from Group 1 to officially qualify for the 2024 U19 World Cup Semi-Finals.
Table of Contents
The 36th match of the U19 ICC World Cup was played between Bangladesh and Pakistan, which was also the final match between both teams in the Super Six stage of the U19 World Cup. Pakistan and Bangladesh were placed in Super Six Group 1 alongside New Zealand, India, Nepal, and Ireland. New Zealand, Nepal, Ireland, and Bangladesh have been eliminated from this year’s World Cup, while archrivals India and Pakistan have progressed to the semi-finals. Defending Champions India U19 will take on South Africa U19 in Semi Final 1 of the ongoing 2024 U19 World Cup, while Pakistan will take on three-time winners Australia in Semi Final 2.
Pakistan U19 vs Bangladesh U19: Match Summary
Pakistan produced an electrifying bowling effort against Bangladesh to defend the target of 156 runs at Benoni’s Willowmoore Park stadium. The Boys in Green were asked to bat first by Bangladeshi Captain Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, and Pakistani openers Shamyl Hussain and Shahzaib Khan got the Boys in Green off to a really good start with an opening partnership of 37 runs. Shamyl managed to score 19 runs from 31 balls before Rohanat Doullah Borson dismissed him.
Azan Awais came in to bat at number three and scored a run—a ball—six runs before Borson got the better of him as well. Pakistani Captain Saad Baig walked out to bat at number four, but he fell cheaply as well; he scored just nine runs from 21 balls as a brilliant fielding effort by Ariful Islam ran him out.
In the 23rd over, Pakistan were restricted to 76-4 as opener Shahzaib (26 runs in 67 balls) nicked the ball behind into the gloves of Ashiqur Rahman Shibli as Sheikh Paevez Jibon sent him back to the pavilion.
Rohanat Doullah Borson picked up his third wicket of the match in the 26th over of the Pakistani innings as Ahmad Hassan (11 runs, 25 balls) was caught behind as Pakistan were struggling with a score of 87-5 in 26 overs.
The Boys in Green were reduced to 89-6 in the very next over as Sheikh Paevez Jibon dismissed Haroon Arshad for seven runs. But then came a seventh-wicket partnership between Arafat Minhas (34 runs in 40 balls) and Ali Asfand (19 runs in 29 balls), which yielded 43 runs.
Jibon secured his third wicket of the innings, ending the partnership by dismissing Ali Asfand (19, 29b, 2x4s) in the 36th over. Following that, Ubaid Shah and Mohammad Zeeshan were both dismissed inexpensively, and Arafat (34, 40b, 4x4s, 1×6), the top run scorer for his team, was the last batsman to fall. Pakistan U19 was bundled out for 155 in 40.4 overs. Jibon and Borson both achieved four-wicket hauls, while skipper Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby took one wicket.
Pakistan U19’s Ubaid made an impact early by dismissing opening batter Jishan Alam (19, 12b, 4x4s) in the third over. In his subsequent over, Ubaid also removed Ashiqur Rahman Shibli (4, 11b) in the same fashion. Chowdhury Mohammad Rizwan contributed 20 runs from 30 balls with four boundaries until an edge off Ali Raza was caught by the Pakistan skipper behind the stumps in the 11th over. In the next over, Ubaid claimed his third wicket by catching Ahrar Amin in the slips.
Arafat’s remarkable catch at backward point in the 20th over added to Ubaid’s success, dismissing Jibon for just two runs. Despite a 40-run seventh-wicket stand between Mohammad Shihab James and skipper Rabby, Ubaid completed a five-wicket haul in his final over, sending James back for a fighting 26 off 43, including three boundaries.
Saad’s diving catch dismissed Rabby for 13, securing Ali Raza’s third wicket of the innings. Azan then ran out Iqbal Hossain Emon for a duck, reducing Bangladesh U19 to 127-9 in 31.4 overs. The last-wicket partnership of 23 runs, with Borson remaining unbeaten at 21 from 24, brought Bangladesh U19 close to victory. However, right-arm pacer Zeeshan had the final say, disturbing Maruf Mridha’s stumps, leading to Pakistan claiming a five-run win.
Ubaid was awarded Player of the Match for his outstanding spell of five for 44 in his 10 overs. Ali Raza and Zeeshan also contributed to Pakistan’s bowling success, finishing with three and one wicket, respectively.
Current Standings of the team (Group-A)
| Super Six, Group 1 | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India U19 (Q) | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | +3.460 |
| Pakistan U19 (Q) | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | +0.288 |
| Bangladesh U19 (E) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +1.008 |
| Ireland U19 (E) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.163 |
| New Zealand U19 (E) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.800 |
| Nepal U19 (E) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2.859 |
For more, Visit the Official Site of U19 Cricket Teams