Pakistan U-19s restrict UAE U-19s to claim opening win

Pakistan Under-19s pulled of a 26-run win against UAE Under-19s in the opening game of the youth tri-series, which also involved England Under-19s, in the UAE.

Pakistan's win was built around a solid team performance, with all their top order making contributions. No one could kick on to a big score, though their top seven all got into double digits, but the series of cameos was enough to push the team over 250. The best period for Pakistan with the bat came when opener and captain Sami Aslam was batting with No. 3 Imam-ul-Haq, the pair putting on 81 together - they were the only two to get past the 50-run mark in the innings. Pakistan's bowler too shared the workload around - three bowlers picked up two wickets each, as UAE's scoring was restricted.

That said, UAE actually began well in the chase, with openers Chirag Suri and Shivank Vijayakumar laying a platform of 80 in 22 overs. Once Suri was out, Pakistan struck with quick regularity to reduce the hosts to 185 for 8. Their scoring-rate had fallen so far behind by then, that a feisty, unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 42 in 34 balls between Nos. 9 and 10, Pankaj Prakash and Mavuru Aditya, was not enough to get them home.