Shahzaib Khan’s 159 Powers Pakistan U19 to 281/7 vs India
Shahzaib Khan’s remarkable 159 powers Pakistan U19 to a formidable 281-7 against India in the ACC Asia Cup
In a breathtaking display of batting, Shahzaib Khan’s sensational 159 powered Pakistan U19 to a formidable total of 281-7 in their group match against India in the ongoing ACC U19 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The knock anchored Pakistan’s innings and frustrated the Indian bowlers throughout the match. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of this exciting encounter.
Pakistan U19 Opt to Bat First, A Solid Opening Stand
When Pakistan U19 captain Saad Baig won the toss, he chose to bat first, a decision that paid off with a strong opening partnership. Shahzaib Khan, the star of the day, was joined at the crease by Usman Khan, and the pair gave Pakistan the perfect start with a steady opening partnership of 130 runs. This solid foundation put the Indian bowlers under early pressure, as the Pakistani duo looked comfortable and confident at the crease.
Shahzaib played remarkably, while Usman was more measured in his approach. Usman Khan contributed 60 runs from 94 balls, striking six boundaries in the process. His innings, however, were cut short when Ayush Mhatre dismissed him. Just an over later, Pakistan’s momentum was further disrupted as Mhatre claimed another wicket, sending Haroon Arshad back to the pavilion for just 3 runs.
Shahzaib Khan’s Dominant Innings
Despite the early setbacks, Shahzaib Khan continued to dominate proceedings. After the dismissals of Usman and Haroon, he found a reliable partner in Muhammad Riazullah, and the two built a valuable 71-run partnership for the third wicket. This partnership took Pakistan’s total to 241 runs by the 44th over, a solid position to push for a big total.
However, the introduction of Samarth Nagaraj brought about a breakthrough, as he dismissed Riazullah for 27 runs, further hampering Pakistan’s progress. Pakistan’s batting, which had started with so much promise, was now beginning to fall apart as wickets tumbled quickly. From a commanding position of 241-3, Pakistan promptly found themselves at 274-7, with the Indian bowlers tightening their grip.
Shahzaib’s Lone Fight, Wickets Fall Quickly
With wickets falling at the other end, Shahzaib Khan stood firm, continuing his battle against the Indian attack. Despite limited support from the lower order, Shahzaib fought valiantly, raising his score to a remarkable 159 runs off 147 balls. His innings included five boundaries and an impressive ten sixes, showcasing his aggression and ability to find the boundary at will.
Shahzaib was eventually the last man to be dismissed, ending a sensational innings that single-handedly guided Pakistan to 281-7 in their allotted 50 overs. Umar Zaib (2) and Naveed Ahmed Khan (5) remained not out, providing much-needed stability towards the end of the innings.
Indian Bowlers Make Key Breakthroughs
For India U19, it was a collective effort from the bowlers to restrict Pakistan’s total. Samarth Nagaraj was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets and keeping the pressure on the Pakistani middle-order. Ayush Mhatre was also influential, quickly taking two crucial wickets, including Usman Khan and Haroon Arshad. Yudhajit Guha and Kiran Chormale also chipped in with a wicket to round off India’s bowling performance.
India’s bowlers showed resilience in the latter part of the innings, but Shahzaib Khan’s brilliance meant that Pakistan still managed to put up a competitive total.
Final Score and India’s Response
Pakistan U19’s total of 281-7 is a challenging target for India U19, who must bat with patience and precision to chase down the required runs. With Pakistan’s bowlers showing potential, it promises to be an exciting second half of the match. India will also seek to build partnerships and avoid the middle-order collapse that plagued Pakistan’s innings.
Pakistan U19 Batting Summary:
- Shahzaib Khan – 159 (147 balls, 5 fours, 10 sixes)
- Usman Khan – 60 (6 fours, 94 balls)
- Muhammad Riazullah – 27 (27 balls)
- Haroon Arshad – 3 (4 balls)
- Umar Zaib – 2* (4 balls)
- Naveed Ahmed Khan – 5* (6 balls)
Indian U19 Bowling Summary:
- Samarth Nagaraj – 3 wickets
- Ayush Mhatre – 2 wickets
- Yudhajit Guha – 1 wicket
- Kiran Chormale – 1 wicket
Conclusion: A Challenging Target for India
With a substantial total of 281-7 on the board, Pakistan U19 has set India a challenging target. While the Indian bowlers fought hard, Shahzaib Khan’s scintillating knock has put Pakistan in a dominant position. As the match progresses, it will be interesting to see how India approaches the chase and whether they can break the partnership of Pakistan’s star batter.
Source: ASports
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