Batsmen shine in comprehensive Pakistan win

Pakistan Under-19 369 for 7 (Ghulam 102*, Raza 71) beat England Under-19 189 (Higgins 65, Gohar 3-44) by 180 runs
Scorecard

A dominating batting display from Pakistan Under-19, capped off by an unbeaten century from Kamran Ghulam, helped them thump England Under-19 by 180 runs in Leicester and register their fourth straight win in the tournament. Sami Aslam and Hasan Raza scored half-centuries to take Pakistan to 369 for 7 after 50 overs.

England, who have won only one of their four matches, were never really in the chase, and a 46-ball 65 from Ryan Higgins did little to change their fortunes, as the hosts fell well short of the target in the end.

Pakistan, who have already qualified for the final on August 19, were in firm control throughout the match and got off to a bright start after electing to bat. Aslam put up a 57-run first-wicket stand with Hussain Talat, before adding another 52 with Rafay Ahmed. Aslam eventually departed for 57 after striking nine fours, but Raza kept the runs flowing with a 69-ball 71 that included nine fours and a six.

Saud Shakeel played the ideal foil to Raza, as the pair added 77 for the fourth wicket, to leave Pakistan poised for a big score at 213 for 4 at the 35-over mark. Medium-pacer Will Rhodes struck in quick intervals to dismiss the pair, but Ghulam, coming in at No.6, smashed nine fours and seven sixes as he posted a 56-ball 102 to prop up Pakistan to an ultimately unassailable total. England didn't help their cause by giving away 27 extras, including 10 no-balls.

Faced with a tall chase, England lost wickets at regular intervals and apart from Higgins and Rhodes, none of the other batsmen could make more than 21, as the hosts were bowled out for 189 in 35 overs. Left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar was the pick of the bowlers and finished with 3 for 44 in his 10 overs.

England will next take on Bangladesh in Worcester on Thursday.