Pakistan U19 Slips to Defeat Against England in World Cup Opener
Pakistan’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup campaign commenced with a disheartening 37-run loss to England on Friday. The Green Shirts struggled to stabilize their batting order, losing six wickets for just 86 runs, ultimately falling short in their pursuit of the target.
Bowling Prowess Shown by Pakistan U19
Winning the toss at Harare’s Takashinga Sports Club, Pakistan captain Farhan Yousuf opted to bowl first. This decision proved tactical as Pakistan’s bowlers managed to dismiss England for a modest 210 runs in the 50-over game. Ahmed Hussain was a standout performer, claiming three wickets.
Ali Raza, Abdul Subhan, and Moshin Qamar provided crucial support, each securing two wickets. This collective bowling effort initially placed Pakistan in a strong position. [Source: SindhNews.com]
England’s Bowling Attack Derails Pakistan’s Chase
Despite a disciplined bowling performance, Pakistan’s batting line-up faltered against England’s bowling attack when it mattered most. Alex Green and James Minto were particularly effective, taking two wickets apiece for England.
The pressure mounted quickly, with six Pakistani batsmen back in the pavilion with the score at just 86.
A Fighting Effort Falls Short for Pakistan U19
Captain Farhan Yousuf displayed resilience, scoring a fighting 65 runs. However, his individual effort wasn’t enough to steer Pakistan towards victory. Other batsmen struggled to provide sustained resistance, with U19 Asia Cup Final hero Sameer Minhas managing only 10 runs.
Ultimately, Pakistan was bowled out for 173 in 46.3 overs, falling short of England’s target.
The disappointing opening loss casts a shadow over Pakistan U19’s World Cup aspirations. Their next fixture is against Scotland on January 19th. The team will need to regroup and perform significantly better in upcoming matches to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.