MORATUWA (Sri Lanka): Rohail Nazir led from the front with a gallant century but Pakistan still lost their ACC Under-19 Asia Cup against India by 60 runs at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa on Saturday.

Before the start of the Group ‘A’ match the two teams observed a minute’s silence in the memory of legendary Pakistan Test leg-spinner Abdul Qadir who died in Lahore on Friday night.

Set a 306-run victory target, Pakistan were dismissed in the 47th over for 245 to lose their second successive fixture in the tournament following the 85-run loss to Afghanistan on Thursday.

Batting at number three, the right-handed Rohail, scored 117 off 108 balls with the help of 12 fours and three sixes to keep Pakistan in the run despite the fall of wickets from the other end.

Rohail added 120 for the fourth wicket with Mohammad Haris in the most productive partnership of the innings. Haris scored 43 off 53 balls with two fours and one six. Rohail fell in the 41st over with the score at 220, while Pakistan were eventually dismissed in 46.4 overs.

Atharva Ankolekar took three wickets for 53 runs in his 10 overs while Vidyadhar Patel took two for 28 in nine overs.

Earlier, centuries by opener Arjun Azad (121 off 111 balls, 11 fours and four sixes) and No.3 Tilak Varma (110 off 119 balls, 10 fours and one six) propelled India to 305-9.

The two added 183 for the second wicket after Suved Parkar (3) was dismissed by Abbas Afridi after a 38-run opening stand.

Pakistan bowlers led by Naseem Shah (3-52) brought the team back in the hunt as India lost eight wickets for 73 runs to slide to 294-9 from 221-1 in the 38th over. Afridi took three wickets for 72 runs.

Summarised scores:

INDIA 305-9 in 50 overs (Arjun Azad 121, Tilak Varma 110; Naseem Shah 3-52, Abbas Afridi 3-72); PAKISTAN 245 in 46.4 overs (Rohail Nazir 117, Mohammad Haris 43; Atharva Ankolekar 3-53, Vidyadhar Patel 2-28).

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2019