LAHORE: Though Pakistan U-19s earned a solid 271-run lead on the first innings, defiant knocks from opener Ashiqur Shibli and undefeated captain Sharear Sakib kept Bangladesh U-19 hopes of at least a respectful draw alive on the third day of the one-off four-day match in Chittagong on Tuesday.
In response to the hosts’ meagre first innings total of 149, Pakistan U-19 posted a healthy 420 in 128.1 overs, which gave them earn a solid lead of 271, after resuming their innings at 364 for seven.
At stumps, Bangladesh in their second innings were 166 for three.
After the loss of opener Majaharul Islam for a duck, fellow opener Ashiqur Shibili stabilized the innings with a sedate 79 off 201 balls during a 316-minute vigil while striking just two fours.
Sharear, who scored 48 in the first innings, again looked solid in his 106-ball 47 not out laced with six fours. Ashiqur Shibli featured in two innings-building partnerships for Bangladesh.
First, Ashiqur added 69 runs for the second wicket with Adil Bin Siddik (26). Ashiqur then contributed in a 90-run stand with Sharear before the former was caught by Mohammad Ismail off slow left-arm orthodox spinner Arafat Minhas.
Sharear will resume the hosts’ second innings alongside Akanto Sheikh (5) on Wednesday.
Earlier, Pakistan resumed the first innings with overnight total of 364 for seven with Obaid Shah (62) and Ali Asfand (three).
With the addition of 56 runs, Pakistan lost the remaining three wickets thanks to a 40-run knock from Ali Asfand who struck eight boundaries.
For Bangladesh, pacer Iqbal Hussain Emmon took four wickets for 81 while leg-spinner Wasi Siddiquee, who had taken four wickets on Monday, finished with 5-86.
Summarised scores:
BANGLADESH U-19 149 in 59 overs (Sheikh Parvaiz Jibon 56, Sharear Sakib 48; Amir Hassan 4-29, Mohammad Ismail 3-41, Ali Asfand 2-37) and 166-3 in 70 overs (Ashiqur Rehman Shibli 79 not out, Sharear Sakib 47 not out)
PAKISTAN U-19 420 in 128.1 overs (Shahzaib Khan 174, Obaid Shahid 67, Ali Asfand 40, Azan Awais 40, Shamyl Hussain 38; Wasi Siddiquee 5-86, Iqbal Hussain Emmon 4-81).
Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2023