Pakistan secured their spot in the Super League quarter-finals by claiming their second victory in a row, defeating Afghanistan by 24 runs. Opting to bat first at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, Pakistan captain Qasim Akram’s decision laid the foundation for a strong performance by his team.
Opener Muhammad Shehzad saw his partner Haseebullah Khan depart early, managing just two runs, but persevered to score 43 off 51 balls. Shehzad then collaborated in a 60-run partnership with No.3 batsman Abdul Faseeh, who contributed 68 off 95 balls, while skipper Qasim chipped in with 38 runs at No.5. However, after Faseeh was dismissed by Izharulhaq Naveed, who took three wickets for 41 runs, Pakistan faced a setback, losing three wickets for just 11 runs. This left them at 184 for seven, with concerns about whether they had scored enough runs to defend.
Maaz Sadaqat played a remarkable innings, remaining unbeaten on 42 from just 37 balls. His innings was studded with seven fours, helping his side reach a total of 239 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.
Afghanistan’s innings got off to a slow start, with the top three batsmen taking too many deliveries to score runs. It took them 170 balls to reach 100 runs, with Bilal Sayedi scoring 42 off 81 balls, Nangeyalia Kharote making 12 off 32 balls, and Allah Noor contributing 28 off 49 balls, all with strike rates below 58.
Despite the slow start, Afghanistan took the contest deep although their innings was characterised by some wild running between the wickets, with three run outs as well as a number of near misses.
Noor Ahmad blasted three sixes to leave his side in with a chance of a shock victory, needing 28 off the last two overs with two wickets in hand. After Allah Noor’s dismissal for 29 off just 18 deliveries to Awais Ali, who was the standout bowler with figures of three for 36, Afghanistan faced an uphill battle. Despite their efforts, they could only manage to reach 215 for nine, falling short in their chase. Now, they must gear up for a crucial winner-takes-all encounter against Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Pakistan secured a narrow victory over Afghanistan, booking their spot in the Super League quarter-finals alongside England. Meanwhile, defending champions Bangladesh recovered from their loss against the Young Lions by defeating Canada.
England captain Tom Prest maintained his excellent batting form by scoring an unbeaten 154 runs, leading his team to victory against the UAE. The UAE now face a crucial match against Bangladesh to determine the second team to advance to the quarter-finals from Group A alongside Prest’s side.
Afghanistan finds themselves in a similar situation, having faced a challenging task in chasing down 240 runs to defeat Pakistan. They now need a victory against Zimbabwe in their upcoming match on Saturday to secure a spot in the top two from Group C and advance further.
Prest goes big as England win again
Tom Prest, the captain of England, showcased his brilliance with the bat by scoring an exceptional 154 not out, leading his team to a commanding 189-run victory over the UAE.
Choosing to bat first after winning the toss at Warner Park, Tom Prest took the No.3 spot for Hampshire. He played an explosive innings, hitting 13 fours and four sixes on his way to an unbeaten 154 off just 119 deliveries. His remarkable effort helped his team post a commanding total of 362 for six.
Prest had to wait until the 12th over to make his way to the middle as George Thomas (42) and Jacob Bethell (62) shared an opening stand of 69. Only Dan Lawrence has registered a higher individual total for the England Under-19s.
Prest displayed his form with 93 runs in the previous victory over Canada, and this time, he was determined to secure another century. He dominated the UAE’s attack right from the start, forging half-century partnerships first with Bethell and then with James Rew (24).
When William Luxton, with his 47 runs off 45 balls, joined Prest at the crease, England’s score was 182 for three in the 31st over. Together, they added 117 runs in just 92 balls.
England reached beyond the 300-run mark for the second consecutive game, despite the commendable efforts of Jash Giyanani, who emerged as the standout bowler with figures of two for 60 from his ten overs.
The UAE found themselves in a precarious position at 61 for five by the 15th over, as seamer Josh Boyden added two more wickets to his tournament tally, reaching ten overall.
Ali Naseer’s aggressive innings of 54 runs from 44 balls helped shift the momentum, as he combined with Nilansh Keswani for a 59-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
However, after Nilansh’s dismissal, the remaining four wickets fell quickly, adding just 53 runs. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, making his debut appearance in the West Indies, shone with figures of four for 30 from his ten overs.
England dismissed the UAE for 173 to confirm their place as Group A winners as they progress to the Super League quarter-finals with their 100 per cent record intact.
Reigning champions Bangladesh bounce back against Canada
Bangladesh, the winners of the 2020 ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, swiftly recovered from their loss to England in the opening match by securing a commanding eight-wicket victory over Canada.
After being bowled out for just 97 runs against the Young Lions in their opening match, the defending champions were tasked with fielding first after Canada won the toss at Conaree Sports Club in St Kitts and Nevis.
They fared better with the ball, however, as Canadian opener and wicket-keeper Anoop Chima made a patient 63 off 117 balls but found precious little support from his teammates.
The remaining nine batters combined for just 58 runs as Bangladesh was dismissed for a mere 136, even though they bowled 15 wides in 44.3 overs.
Ripon Mondol starred with the ball taking four for 24 in 8.3 overs, including the prize scalp of Chima who he had caught behind.
Ripon’s seam was well complemented by SM Meherob’s off-breaks as he claimed four wickets for 38 runs in his ten overs, while medium-pacer Ashiqur Zaman also contributed with two wickets.
In response, Canada made an early breakthrough as Parmveer Kharoud trapped Mahfijul Islam lbw for just 12, but Iftakher Hossain anchored the chase with a well-made 61 off 89 balls.
Prantik Nawrose Nabil contributed 33 runs, while Aich Mollah remained unbeaten on 20 off 26 balls. Mollah sealed victory in style with a six off Gurnek Johal Singh as Bangladesh won with 119 balls to spare.
The reigning champions will now face a straight shoot-out against the UAE on Saturday to see who will join England in the Super League quarter-finals.
Pakistan qualify for quarter-finals as Afghanistan leave it too late
Friday 21 January matches:
South Africa v Ireland, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
West Indies v Sri Lanka, Conaree Cricket Center, St Kitts and Nevis
