PAK vs BAN U19 World Cup highlights: Ubaid Shah, brother of Pakistan quick Naseem, claimed 5-44 and Ali Raza 3-44 to help Pakistan beat Bangladesh by five runs and qualify for the semi-finals.
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Pakistan were bowled out for only 155 at the Willowmoore Park in Benoni, but they hit back to skittle Bangladesh for 150 and qualify for the semi-finals of the 2024 Under-19 World Cup.
Pakistan will play Australia in the second semi-final on February 8, two days after hosts South Africa clash with India. The two matches, along with the final on February 11, will be played at the same venue in Benoni.
Pakistan openers Shamyl Hussain and Shahzaib Khan added 37 before they slipped to 89-6 against medium pacer Rohanat Doullah Borson (4-24) and off-spinner Sheikh Paevez Jibon (4-24). Arafat Minhas (34 in 40 balls) then added 43 for the seventh wicket with Ali Asfand to eventually help Pakistan reach 155.
To qualify for the semi-finals, Bangladesh needed to chase the target inside 38.1 overs. Jishan Alam began quickly in response, smashing 19 in 12 balls at the top to help Bangladesh reach 26 in the third over. However, Ubaid Shah (5-44) had him and fellow opener Ashiqur Rahman Shibli caught behind in quick succession, and Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals thereafter.
They needed 29 when No.11 Maruf Mridha joined No.10 Borson. Both played their shots with an eye on the qualification scenario. Borson hit Arafat Minhas for six in the 35th over and ran a three off Mohammad Zeeshan to bring the target down to six in 16 balls. By then, both Ubaid and Ali Raza (3-44) had bowled out.
Mridha flicked the next ball without a run, and had to keep out two balls to get Borson on strike. Zeeshan bowled short and Mridha defended off the back foot, but the ball hit the stumps off the inside edge.
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