Pakistan under 19s qualified for the ICC under 19 world cup 2014 semi- finals when they comprehensively beat the spirited Sri Lanka under 19s by 121 runs in their quarter-final fixture played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Pakistan captain won the toss and elected to bat first on a batsman’s paradise. Pakistan’s left hand opening pair of skipper Sami Aslam and Imam Ul-Haq put up a stunning opening partnership of 177 runs batting for 36 overs for the first wicket which built the way for Pakistan under 19s to post a match winning score. Pakistan’s top order was in full form as they capitalized on some loose Sri Lankan bowling. The off-colour Sri Lankans hit back strongly to take wickets at regular intervals in the final few overs to disrupt the run flow but number 3 batsman Kamran Ghulam held Pakistan’s final overs towards a formidable score of 279 for 9 wickets in 50 overs.
Sami Aslam made 95 runs in 121 balls with 8 elegant boundaries and 2 massive sixes while his opening partner Imam Ul-Haq scored 82 runs in 107 balls with 7 fours and 1 six. Number 3 batsmen Kamran Ghulam continued his great tournament with a quick fire 52 runs.Tall lanky left arm seam bowler from D.S Senanayake Binura Fernando took 4 scalps while his opening bowling partner Anuk Fernando accounted for 2 wickets.
Chasing a challenging target of 280 runs, Sri Lanka lost opener ( SL U19s only centurion for the tournament) Hashan Dumindu in the very first ball of their innings for a duck when he was castled by a Zia Ul-Haq delivery. Skipper Kusal Mendis was run out for 1 run and Royalist Hashen Ramanayake followed his captain being dismissed in the same fashion and soon found Sri Lanka three down for 44 until the Josephian duo of Sadeera Samarawickrama and Priyamal Perera got together to form 59 runs for the fourth wicket to give some hope for Sri Lanka under 19s.
After the dismissal of Sadeera for 51 runs, the Sri Lankan late order failed at any heroism as the set batsman Priyamal Perera lost partners from the other end. No other batsmen reached double figures as Sri Lanka under 19s were bowled out for 158 all out. Priyamal Perera’s 81 ball 68 stood out as the top score of the Sri Lanka innings. Zia Ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Zafar Gohar and Karamat Ali took 2 wickets apiece for the winning team.
Pakistan under 19s will now meet England under 19s in their semi-final match on the 24th of February at Dubai International Stadium.
Reflecting on his side’s victory, Pakistan captain Sami Aslam said: “We’ve been playing here in the UAE for quite some time. We played here for about two months before coming to the U19 Cricket World Cup, so I think we are very comfortable with the conditions. “
Chief Scores :
Pakistan U19s – 279/9 in 50 overs : Sami Aslam 95, Imam Ul-Haq 82, Kamran Ghulam 52, Binura Fernando 4/56, Anuk Fernando 2/45.
Sri Lanka U19s – 158 all out in 42.3 overs : Sadeera Samarawickrama 51, Priyamal Perera 68, Zia Ul-Haq 2/36, Kamran Ghulam 2/19, Zafar Gohar 2/39, Karamat Ali 2/41.
