Pakistan qualifies for U-19 World Cup Quarter Finals

Pakistan U-19 defeated Zimbabwe U-19 by 38 runs to qualify for the Quarter Finals of the U-19 World Cup. Mohammad Haris was named the “Player of the Match” for his master-class batting performance which played a key role in Pakistan’s 38-run victory.

Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to field first. Haider Ali and Muhammad Shehzad opened the innings for Pakistan. Haider Ali contributed 19 from 26, while Muhammad Shehzad scored 27 from 55 balls.

Fahad Munir and Qasim Akram scored half-centuries. Mohammad Haris played a blistering innings of 81 runs from 48 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes towards the end of the innings to bring Pakistan U-19’s total to 294/9. Zimbabwe’s Dylan Grant took 3 wickets. Milton Shumba, Sakhumuzi Ndlela, Dion Myers, and Tadiwanashe Nyangani took 1 wicket each.

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Zimbabwe U-19 had a stable start. They lost opener Emannuel Bawa on a 65/1 but Wesley Madhevere and Milton Shumba scored half-centuries to keep Zimbabwe on the front. Their skipper Dion Myers added 39 from 50 balls. Taurayi Tugwete contributed 23 from 21.

After crossing 200 runs, Zimbabwe started to crumble one after the other. They went from 208/3 to 256 all out in 46.3 overs as Pakistan U-19 clinched victory by 38 runs.

Pakistan’s Tahir Hussain and Abbas Afridi both secured 3 wickets each. Aamir Ali and Qasim Ahmed claimed 2 wickets each against Zimbabwe.

And it's a win for Pakistan in Potchefstroom too.

An excellent game of cricket that saw Zimbabwe push the victors close.#U19CWC | #PAKvZIM | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/rlRCgSMmTt

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 22, 2020

Pakistan U-19 is now on the 2^nd spot in Group C with 4 points and a net run rate of 2.706. Bangladesh is on the top spot in the same group with 4 points and the net run rate of 5.008. Zimbabwe and Scotland U-19 have lost both of their matches so far and have 9 points.

Pakistan U-19 will face Bangladesh U-19 for their final match in the group stage on Friday, January 24.