DUBAI: In an impressive performance with both bat and ball, Pakistan outclassed the UAE by 191 runs to book their place in the final of the U-19 tri-series tournament at the ICC Cricket Academy Ground in Dubai on Friday.

Pakistan face against Afghanistan in the decider on Tuesday at the same venue.

Chasing a tough 315, the UAE were beset by a top-order collapse as they were reduced to 52 for five in 16 overs.

At this stage, Ayaan Misbah (17 off 46 balls) and Suri (32 not out off 61) added 21 before Misbah was dismissed by Umar Zaib in the 26th over.

The UAE were eventually dismissed for 123 in the 37th over. Naveed Ahmed Khan bagged three wickets while Umar ended up with nice figures of four for 51.

Earlier after opting to bat first, Pakistan posted a solid 314 for five off the stipulated 50 overs, their best score in the series. In-form openers Shahzaib Khan (71 off 84) and Usman Khan (50 off 64) gave their team a fine 96-run start.

Following the openers’ departure, Farhan Yousuf (63 off 50) and Haroon Arshad (54 off 34) added 75 runs for the fourth wicket. Faham-ul-Haq chipped in with 37 off 48 balls.

Noorullah Ayubi and Uddish Suri bagged two wickets apiece for the UAE.

This was Pakistan’s second successive win over the UAE in the tournament, after beating them by 10 wickets in the opening match. In this tournament, the Saad Baig-led Pakistan defeated Afghanistan in their previous encounter by 13 runs but faced a 100-run defeat against the same team in the first clash between the two sides.

The last group match of the tri-series will be played between Afghanistan and the UAE on Sunday.

Scores in brief:

PAKISTAN 314-5 in 50 overs (Shahzaib Khan 71, Farhan Yousuf 63, Haroon Arshad 54, Usman Khan 50, Faham-ul-Haq 37; Noorullah Ayubi 2-53, Uddish Suri 2-54); UAE 123 in 36.5 overs (Uddish Suri 32 not out, Noorullah Ayubi 28; Umar Zaib 4-51, Naveed Ahmed Khan 3-17, Faham-ul-Haq 2-20).

Published in Dawn, November 23th, 2024