HARARE: Sameer Minhas‘ half-century, followed by Umar Zaib’s five-wicket haul, helped Pakistan register a resounding 133-run victory over Afghanistan in the fifth match of the U19 tri-series here at the Sunrise Sports Club on Friday.
Set 239, Afghanistan were bowled out for 105 in only 30.2 overs. As a result, Pakistan romped to the final of the tri-series.
Umar remained the chief tormentor as Afghanistan lost openers Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai for 9 and 15 runs, respectively, in 3.5 overs.
Uzairullah Niazai was sent back for duck in the fifth over, reducing the Atlans to 26-3.
Following an early loss, Faisal Shinozada and skipper Mahboob Khan tried to arrest the slide with a brief partnership that took the score to 59, but a collapse slumped them to 65-5, then 105 all-out.
Mahboob remained the highest scorer for his side, scoring 29 from 56 balls with the help of two fours.
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For Pakistan, pacer Umar Zaib bowled a fiery spell and picked up a five-wicket haul. Ahmed Hussain and Momin Qamar also chipped in with two scalps to their name.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan managed to put 238/9 at the end of their 50 overs.
Sameer Minhas and Ali Hasan Baloch laid a solid foundation with a 78-run partnership in 15.4 overs.
Minhas was caught for 59 from 49 balls, which was laced with half a dozen boundaries and a six.
Ali then paired up with Usman Khan for a brief 36-run partnership to take the score to 114 in 24.5 overs. The former scored 39 with the help of a four and a six.
Pakistan’s steady progress continued as Usman Khan and skipper Farhan Yousaf stitched a half-century stand before a lower middle order collapse reduced them to 214-8 in 44.4 overs.
Usman Khan remained the second-highest run getter with 43 off 59, striking a six and three fours.
For Afghanistan, Zaitullah Shaheen and Salam Khan took two wickets each.
