Pakistan defeat Sri Lanka to reach the semi-finals of the Under 19 World Cup, where they will face England.

By PakPassion Staff (22nd Feb, 2014)

Toss: Pakistan Under-19s won the toss and chose to bat.

Teams:

Pakistan Under-19s: 1. Sami Aslam(c), 2. Imam-ul-Haq, 3. Hasan Raza, 4. Saud Shakeel, 5. Kamran Ghulam, 6. Zafar Gohar, 7. Saifullah Khan(wk), 8. Zia-ul-Haq, 9. Amad Butt, 10. Karamat Ali, 11. Ameer Hamza

Sri Lanka Under-19s: 1. H Dumindu, 2. S Samarawickrama(wk), 3. K Mendis(c), 4. H Ramanayake, 5. PARP Perera, 6. T Sumanasiri, 7. HM Rajapaksha, 8. R Mendis, 9. SANJ Fernando, 10. B Fernando, 11. AK Tyronne

Pakistan's batting strength has rested in the openers in recent times, in the form of Sami Aslam and Imam-ul-Haq. The two have given their side a solid platform in most of the matches so far and this match was no different as they put on their third century stand in the four matches Pakistan have played in the Under 19 World Cup.

They put on 109 against India, 125 against Papua New Guinea and 177 today, the match against Scotland being the only blot on the copybook where Aslam was bowled early for three.

Aslam (95 off 121) was the first to go today too, when he was caught by Harsha Rajapaksha off the bowling of Binura Fernando five runs short of a century. As is often the case, one wicket brought two and Imam-ul-Haq (82 off 102) was unable to score consecutive centuries, after his 133 against Papua New Guinea, as he was run out a few overs later, to leave Pakistan 186/2 in the 40th over.

Kamran Gulam (52) and Imam shared a 38-run third wicket partnership before Pakistan collapsed from 224/2 in the 45th over, to being 279/9 after 50 overs - 55 runs being added in the last five overs for the loss of seven wickets.

Hasan Raza (12), Zafar Gohar (17) were caught off the bowling of Anuk Fernando and none of the remaining batsmen - Amad Butt, Saifullah Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Zia-ul-Haq and Karamat Ali all failed to reach double figures. The two Fernandos who open the bowling for Sri Lanka shared six wickets between them, while off-spinner Tyronne took one wicket. Two unnecessary run-outs further ensured that the Pakistan Under-19s were restricted to below 300 after the opening batsmen had laid a strong platform.


Fall Of Wickets

1-177 Aslam, 36.6 overs,
2-186 ul-Haq, 39.1 overs,
3-224 Hasan Raza, 44.1 overs,
4-247 Zafar Gohar, 46.2 overs,
5-259 Amad Butt, 47.3 overs,
6-273 Saifullah Khan, 48.6 overs,
7-273 Kamran Ghulam, 49.1 overs,
8-273 Zia-ul-Haq, 49.2 overs,
9-277 Karamat Ali, 49.4 overs.

The Sri Lankan chase got off to the worst possible start as Hashan Dumindu was bowled by Zia off the first ball of the innings. Seven balls later, number three batsman Kusal Mendis was run out after a sharp piece of fielding by Zafar Gohar. Sri Lanka consolidated after the third wicket went down, as Samarawickrama and Perera shared a 59-run fourth wicket partnership to carry Sri Lanka to 103 in the 24th over, before Samarawickrama was stumped by Saifullah Khan off the impressive Karamat Ali, who struck again just one over later to remove Ramesh Mendis (3).

Number seven batsman Sumanasiri (4) was caught and bowled by Kamran Ghulam to leave Sri Lanka 121/6 in the 30th over. Gohar picked up the wicket of Rajapaksha in the 35th over and one over later, Zia-up-Haq bowled Perera, who made a well-constructed 68. Those wickets effectively ended Sri Lankas hopes as they went into the final 10 overs needing 128 runs with two wickets remaining. It proved too much as Pakistan picked up the final two wickets and bowed Sri Lanka out for 158 as Pakistan won by 121 runs.

Fall Of Wickets

1-0 Dumindu, 0.1 overs,
2-10 K Mendis, 1.2 overs,
3-44 Ramanayake, 10.4 overs,
4-103 Samarawickrama, 23.3 overs,
5-109 Mendis, 25.5 overs,
6-119 Sumanasiri, 28.2 overs
7-149 Rajapaksha, 34.6 overs,
8-149 Perera, 35.6 overs,
9-152 Tyronne, 40.1 overs,
10-158 Fernando, 42.3 overs.

The Pakistani effort again was based on the efforts of the openers, and despite a lower order collapse, Pakistan ensured they posted a strong total. Sri Lanka struggled under the weight of a quarter-final run chase. With the much fancied Indian's now knocked out of the tournament, Pakistan should be looking towards an easier ride to the finals than expected before. Whether, the rest of the batting order can come to the fore and take responsibility will largely determine Pakistan's fortunes in the 2 games ahead.

Next Game:

24th Feb, 8:00 GMT: Pakistan Under-19s vs England Under-19s, ICC World Cup Semi-final.

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