LAHORE, Nov 2: A fine all-round performance by Irfan Pathan and a three-wicket haul by left-arm-spinner Avinash Yadav which came off only 3.2 overs, guided India to a crucial 10-run victory against Pakistan in a low scoring match in the Under-19 Asia Cup cricket tournament played at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Irfan also made a valuable contribution of 28 runs in a paltry Indian total of 148 all out in 38.2 overs after the visitors lost the toss and were put into bat first.

Left-arm paceman Irfan excelled with the leather, finishing off with three wickets for 23 runs, as Pakistan were bundled out for 138 in 34.2 overs after the home team had a dreadful start after half the side was back in the pavilion with only 13 runs on the board.

Doomed for a heavy defeat wth the screboard reading 72 for seven, Pakistan was saved from embarrassment when Salman Qadir 57 not out off 106 deliveries, an innings laced with eight boundaries and Riaz Afridi (27), who thumped three boundaries and a six, brought Pakistan closer to victory adding 58 runs off 78 balls for the eighth wicket as Pakistan reached 130 for seven wickets, just 19 runs away from victory.

But spinner Yadav struck three telling blows as Pakistan were bowled out for 138 runs.

Salman, son of Pakistan’s famed spin bowler Abdul Qadir, batted well, but failed to keep most of the strike after Riaz was dismissed, exposing the two remaining tailenders, who Yadav gobbled up in a hurry.

Irfan, adjudged the Man-of-the-Match, created trouble for Pakistan when he removed opener and skipper Khalid Latif (1) and next man Sohail Ahmed (0) off consecutive deliveries in the very first over of the Pakistan innings.

Right-arm pacer V.R Singh, who bazgged three for 58, then sent back Jahangir Mirza (3) on his second ball off the second over. All the three wickets fell wsith only six runs on the board.

Irfan struck again to get rid of Khurram Manzoor, clean bowled for one, wsith the total reading eight runs for four wickets before Mohammad Altaf also followed suit, dismissed off V.R Singh, with half the said back in the pavilion with only 13 runs on the board.

 Shahid Yousaf, who had cracked a century against Bangladesh in the opener at Karachi, stayed at the crease with Salman Qadir, to steady the innings.

Their sixth wicket partnership put on 37 valuable runs as Pakistan reached 50 in the 12th over. The partnership continued to flourish but with the score at 68, Shahid looking well set after hitting paceman Sunny Singh for two consecutive boundaries, was caught at cover by the Indian captain Rayudu for a 35-ball 27 runs, adorned with five fours.

Still in the doldrums at 68 for six, Salman found another useful ally in Riaz Afridi (27), as the pair put on 58 runs in 78 minutes before te eighth wicket well at 130 in the 33rd over.

India now brought on leg-spinners Piyush Chawla and Yadav. The gamble paid off as Yadav finished off the match in a winning note for India.

Earlier, the match started after a half hour delay due to the wet condition of the wicket.

Besides Irfan, only Robin Utappa (40, three fours) could stay at the crease for some time as the Pakistani bowlers folded up the Indian innings in 38.2 overs.

The Pakistani bowlers, although effective were indisciplined by giving away 27 extras runs in which 12 wides and 8 no balls were included.

Paceman Riaz Afridi three forf”Helvetica”I, captain Khalid Latif three for 27 and Mansoor Amjad three for 33, were the most successful bowlers.

India’s win made the tournament wide open now. Pakistan have to win against Sri Lanka in its last match to be held at Karachi on Nov 4 to set the date for the final.

India, who had been defeated by Sri Lanka, now have to take on the lowly-rated Bangladesh team. If both Pakistan and India win their matches then the finalist will be decided between these two teams on the net run rate. At present Pakistan has a net run rate of +1.07 as to India’s -0.21.

Scoreboard

INDIA