Irfanuddin shines in Pakistan's defeat

Off-spinner Irfanuddin excelled in Pakistan's 29-run defeat against New Zealand in a Under-19 World Cup warm-up match at Lincoln Friday.

Irfanuddin captured four wickets for 43 to restrict tournament hosts to 233 for eight in 50 overs. However Pakistan's young guns, probably unused to conditions, were dismissed for 204 in a match in which each team was allowed 13 players but only 11 could bat and field.

Skipper Salman Butt was Pakistan's top scorer with 56 off 83 balls with seven boundaries. Arslan Mir, batting at No 9, chipped in with a 34-ball 38 that included four boundaries.

New Zealand's innings revolved around Jesse Ryder who scored a 67-ball 74 with eight boundaries. He was instrumental in helping his team collect 81 runs off the first 15 overs. However, the runs dried down when Irfanuddin, Azhar Ali and Arslan Mir bowled in got into action and allowed New Zealand to score only 84 in the next 24 overs.

Nevertheless, the Black Caps picked up 70 valuable runs in the death overs to post a decent score.