Shahzaib Khan, Riazullah Propel Pakistan to U19 Semi-Final
Shahzaib Khan and Riazullah Lead Pakistan to U19 Asia Cup Semi-Final with Victory over UAE
Dubai, UAE: Pakistan U19 cricket team secured a commanding 69-run victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, earning a spot in the ACC U19 Asia Cup semi-finals. This win came after a stellar performance by Shahzaib Khan and Muhammad Riazullah, who continued to impress with both bat and ball. With this win, Pakistan remains unbeaten in the tournament, having already triumphed over arch-rivals India in their opening match.
Shahzaib Khan Shines with the Bat
Shahzaib Khan maintained his outstanding form, scoring a spectacular century to lead Pakistan to a strong total. This marked Shahzaib Khan’s second back-to-back century, after his stunning knock of 159 against India in the opening game. Khan’s 132 off 136 balls included 11 boundaries and six towering sixes. His knock anchored Pakistan’s innings, allowing the team to post a formidable total of 314 for 3 in their allotted 50 overs after being put into bat by the UAE.
Riazullah’s Support Makes the Difference
In addition to Khan’s heroics, Muhammad Riazullah played a crucial role in Pakistan’s total. Riazullah crafted a brilliant knock of 106 off 91 balls, including nine boundaries and three sixes. His partnership with Khan was instrumental, as the duo put together a commanding 183-run stand for the second wicket. Their dominance came briskly, with the partnership lasting just over 27 overs. Before Riazullah’s dismissal, Pakistan had already built a solid foundation, thanks to a strong opening stand of 94 runs between Shahzaib and Usman Khan (41).
Late Flourishes Extend Pakistan’s Total
After Shahzaib’s dismissal in the 46th over, Riazullah kept the momentum going, adding 37 runs in the last four overs alongside Faham-ul-Haq, who finished unbeaten on 20. Pakistan’s total of 314 for 3 proved to be a challenging target for the UAE, especially on a pitch showing signs of assistance to the pacers and spinners.
Abdul Subhan Dismantles UAE’s Middle Order
As the UAE began their chase, fast bowler Abdul Subhan was the standout performer, delivering a sensational spell of fast bowling. Subhan was named the Player of the Match for his game-changing figures 6 for 57 in 10 overs. His devastating performance saw the UAE’s middle order crumble under pressure, reducing them from a promising position of 170 for 3 to finish at a modest 245 for 8.
D’Souza and Rayan Show Grit for UAE
Despite early challenges, the UAE’s middle order showed great resilience. Ethan D’Souza and Muhammad Rayan shared a 113-run partnership for the fourth wicket, offering brief hope for the hosts. D’Souza top-scored for the UAE with an impressive 84 runs off 102 balls, including 11 boundaries. Rayan also contributed a solid 50 off 66 balls, hitting three sixes and one four. However, their efforts fell short as the wickets continued to tumble regularly, with Rayan’s departure at 170 marking the end of their resistance.
Pakistan’s Clinical Performance Keeps Them on Top
With the win, Pakistan topped Group A of the U19 Asia Cup, maintaining an unbeaten record. They are followed by the UAE, India, and Japan in the standings. In Group B, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have won twice, while Afghanistan and Nepal are still searching for their first victory. The top two teams from each group will earn a place in the semi-finals.
Pakistan’s upcoming challenge will be their final group match against Japan, scheduled for Wednesday at the Dubai International Sports Stadium. With a semi-final berth secured, the team aims to sustain their momentum and keep up their impressive performance in the tournament.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s convincing victory over the UAE in the ACC U19 Asia Cup showcases the team’s depth and strength. Shahzaib Khan’s second consecutive century, combined with Riazullah’s brilliant support and Subhan’s match-winning bowling performance, has put Pakistan in a prime position to compete for the title. As the tournament progresses, Pakistan will look to build on this performance and push for further glory in the semi-finals.
Source: ASports
Stay updated with the latest news and in-depth coverage at 2ndnews.com.