EAST LONDON: A magnificent bowling show led by speedster Ubaid Shah followed by a rock-solid unbeaten stand between openers Shahzaib Khan and Shamyl Hussain steered Pakistan to a crushing ten-wicket victory over New Zealand in their ICC U-19 World Cup group match here at Buffalo Park on Saturday.

With this fine victory, the Saad Baig-captained green-shirts ended their Group ‘D’ stage unbeaten, having achieved victories over Afghanistan (181 runs) and Nepal (five wickets) in the first two games.

Pakistan openers Shahzaib Khan and Shamyl Hussain overhauled a slim 141-run target in just 25.2 overs.

Left-handed Shahzaib was relatively more attacking, striking ten boundaries and three sixes during his 86-ball 80 not out.

Shamyl, meanwhile, bided his time in the middle initially, scoring just 12 in the Powerplay before he picked up pace as Pakistan neared the target. Shamyl struck six fours and two sixes in his undefeated 54 off 66 deliveries.

New Zealand’s decision to bat first was rendered ill-fated when fast bowler Ubaid bowled an excellent spell with the new ball to cause early damage.

Luke Watson’s off-stump went cartwheeling off a ripper from Ubaid in the third over of the innings. This was followed by Tom Jones’ (14) and Snehith Reddy’s (seven) departure with Ubaid’s brilliance leaving New Zealand three down for 28 in seven overs.

Fast bowler Mohammad Zeeshan struck in the 16th over to see the back of New Zealand captain Oscar Jackson (12). Lachlan Stackpole (42) and Oliver Tewatiya (29) stitched a 61-run fifth-wicket partnership to prevent further slide but off-spinner Naveed Ahmed Khan found the breakthrough to trigger a massive collapse.

In a stunning collapse New Zealand descended from 117-4 in the 26th over to 140 all out in 38 overs.

Slow left-arm orthodox spinner Arafat Minhas claimed three wickets for six runs in five extremely economical overs, including two maidens.

For the second time in the global tournament, Shahzaib was named player-of-the-match for his superb knock. Earlier in the event, he had smashed a brilliant match-winning century against Afghanistan.

Pakistan, by finishing on top of Group ‘D’, now play the second and third-placed teams of Group ‘A’ in the Super Six round.

Meanwhile, South Africa U-19s outclassed Scotland by seven wickets in their Group ‘B’ match at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom.

Zimbabwe outplayed Namibia by eight wickets in a low-scoring Group ‘C’ game at the Diamond Oval, Kimberley.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2024