LAHORE: A blistering partnership between Arafat Minhas and Saad Baig saw Pakistan U-19 beat Bangladesh U-19 by seven wickets in the second and final Twenty20 to draw the series 1-1 here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Pakistan captain Saad and Arafat combined for a 119-run partnership after Pakistan were reeling at 46-3 and took the hosts all the way and across the finish line.

Saad smashed eight fours and three sixes in his 50-ball knock of 79 while Arafat plundered the visiting bowlers for a 37-ball 50, which saw him hit four boundaries and six.

Earlier, after being put into bat, Bangladesh posted 163-6 in 20 overs with opener Jishan Alam top-scoring with 73 off 40 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes.

Chowdhury Mohammad Rizwan’s 29 off 28 also proved helpful for Bangladesh.

Three of the six Bangladesh wickets were claimed by left-arm spinner Ali Asfand while Mohammad Ibtisam bagged a brace for Pakistan.

Summarised scores:

BANGLADESH U-19 163-6 in 20 overs (Jishan Alam 73; Ali Asfand 3-31, Mohammad Ibtisam 2-34); PAKISTAN U-19 165-3 in 18.2 overs (Saad Baig 79 not out, Arafat Minhas 50 not out).

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2022