PALMERSTON NORTH (New Zealand), Jan 20 Pakistan squeaked past Bangladesh on the second last ball on Wednesday to go through to the quarter-finals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup.
The Group 'D' clash was the key to settling the final two spots in the weekend quarter-finals, with the four-wicket victory ensuring Pakistan won the group and second-placed West Indies also qualified.
Bangladesh scored 250-5 but it was not quite enough, with Pakistan scrambling to victory on the second-last ball of their 50 overs after 15-year-old opening batsman Babar Azam top-scored with 91.
Pakistan seemed to be going down when they lost their sixth wicket at 199, with 21 balls to go. But Mohammad Waqas, who came in at No 8 had other ideas, smashing two sixes and three fours in his 14-ball 34 that turned the match on its head in less than 15 manic minutes.
The win put Bangladesh out of the tournament, while West Indies qualified at their expense to the last-eight round.
The day had begun well for Bangladesh, whose decision to bat was vindicated by a strong batting show.
Openers Anamul Haque and Amit Majumder laid the foundation with a steady stand of 92 in 23.1 overs. Anamul carried on his good form in the series, before he fell for 55.
Mominul Haque kept the Bangladesh flag flying in the middle overs and set them up for a strong finish, which was provided by captain Mahmudul Hasan who slammed 63.
Shabbir Rahman upped the ante by striking two sixes and two fours in his 34. Alauddin Babu who came in for the last ball of the innings smote a six to take his side to 250.
Pakistan employed a watchful approach to their chase, with Babar Azam and Ahmed Shahzad cutting out the risks in their steady 104-run opening stand, before Ahmed fell for 52.
Babar provided the impetus in the company of his captain Azeem Ghumman, adding 60 in 56 balls. Bangladesh then
hit back hard, removing both batsmen without addition to the score.
Pakistan faltered further, losing two more wickets as their hopes dimmed. But Waqas played out a script of his own, with a dramatic twist in the end.
Last-over thrillers seemed to be the order of the day, as Australia and South Africa played out another nail-biter at Queenstown Events Centre.
Alex Keath and Jason Floros added 127 to set the platform for a sizeable score. Keath struck 64 before he was dismissed, while Floros reached 96 off 97 balls. Tim Armstrong hustled 48 with three sixes to take his side to 276.
South Africa's chase, which was led by Dominic Hendricks who fell four short of a hundred, were home with two balls to spare. The result of the match was of little consequence, with both sides already having booked their places in the last eight.
Meanwhile, in another contest between the best two teams in a group, New Zealand emerged comfortable victors as they beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets at Village Green in Christchurch.
The hosts took the first spot in Group 'C, thanks largely to impressive efforts from fast bowler Logan van Beek and off-spinner Tim Johnston, who grabbed three wickets each and patient 85 from opener Harry Boam.
In the tournament's final pool match on Thursday, holders India and England will battle for top spot in Group 'A'.
Scoreboard
BANGLADESH
Anamul Haque c Anop b Usman 55
Amit Majumder b Usman 36
Nurul Hasan c Azeem b Shahzaib 14
Mominul Haque c Hammad b Babar 35
Mahmudul Hasan run out 63
Shabbir Rahman not out 34
Alauddin Babu not out 6
EXTRAS (LB-3, W-4) 7
TOTAL (for five wkts, 50 overs) 250
FALL OF WKTS 1-92, 2-95, 3-121, 4-165, 5-244.
DID NOT BAT Saikat Ali, Tasamul Haque, Abul Hasan, Shaker Ahmed.
BOWLING Sarmad Bhatti 3-1-21-0; Hammad Azam 7-1-42-0 (1w); Raza Hasan 10-0-49-0; Babar Azam 10-0-54-1 (1w); Usman Qadir 10-1-44-2 (1w); Shahzaib Ahmed 10-0-37-1.
PAKISTAN
Ahmed Shahzad c Nurul b Shabbir 52
Babar Azam c Shaker b Mahmudul 91
Rameez Aziz c Shabbir b Mahmudul 7
Azeem Ghumman st Anamul b Shaker 19
Hammad Azam not out 27
Usman Qadir run out 3
Sarmad Bhatti c Mahmudul b Abul 9
Mohammad Waqas not out 34
EXTRAS (B-3, W-3, NB-3) 9
TOTAL (for six wkts, 49.5 overs) 251
FALL OF WKTS 1-104, 2-113, 3-173, 4-173, 5-182, 6-199.
DID NOT BAT Raza Hasan, Anop Ravi Santosh, Shahzaib Ahmed.
BOWLING Abul Hasan 9-1-69-1 (3nb, 2w); Alauddin Babu 8-1-28-0; Shaker Ahmed 10-0-31-1; Shabbir Rahman 10-0-51-1; Mominul Haque 2.5-0-33-0; Mahmudul Hasan 10-0-36-2.
RESULT Pakistan won by four wickets.
