LAHORE: An impressive unbeaten century by Shahzaib Khan inspired Pakistan U-19 to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Bangladesh U-19 in the fourth youth one-day match at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi on Saturday.

The big victory gave the tourists an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Pakistan comfortably won the first two one-dayers in Chittagong before Bangladesh came back to take the third game by four wickets in Rajshahi.

In pursuit of a modest 200, left-handed openers Shahzaib and Azan Awais provided the tourists with a match-winning partnership of 152 runs.

Shahzaib, who was later named man-of-the-match, crafted a run-a-ball innings of 105 cracking 14 fours and one six. Azan, who struck 105 in the second one-dayer, departed first after scoring a solid 91-ball 52 featuring seven boundaries.

Shamyl Hussain (7) was the next to go as Pakistan were 167 for two in 32.4 overs, before captain Saad Baig (29 not out off 15) joined Shahzaib to get the remaining 33 runs in their unbroken third-wicket stand in the 37th over.

Earlier, put in to bat first, Bangladesh posted a modest total of 199 in 46.4 overs.

Other than middle-order batter Ariful Islam (95-ball 50, four fours and a six), no other Bangladesh player could contribute handsomely as the hosts kept losing wickets regularly.

For Pakistan, fast bowler Aimal Khan and left-arm spinner Ali Asfand bagged three wickets each.

The last match of the series will be played on Monday at the same venue.

Summarised scores:

Pakistan U-19 bt Bangladesh U-19 by eight wickets.

BANGLADESH U-19 199 in 46.4 overs (Ariful Islam 50, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby 34, Parviz Rahman Jibon 30; Aimal Khan 3-34, Ali Asfand 3-39, Arafat Minhas 2-26); PAKISTAN U-19 202-2 in 36.5 overs (Shahzaib Khan 105 not out, Azan Awais 52, Saad Baig 29 not out)

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2023