Aslam, Nawaz make it two in two for Pakistan Under-19s

Pakistan Under-19s 260 (Sami Aslam 112) beat South Africa Under-19s 206 (Chad Bowes 63, Mohammad Nawaz 5-33)
Scorecard

A century from Sami Aslam and a five-wicket haul from Mohammad Nawaz helped make it two wins out of two matches for Pakistan Under-19s in the tri-nation tournament in South Africa. Despite a late collapse, Pakistan managed to get to 260. While South Africa Under-19s managed to stay in the chase till the 35th over, the required run-rate had risen to almost eight runs an over, and they succumbed to the pressure, getting bowled out for 206 in the end.

Nawaz and legspinner Usman Qadir were the men who ran through the South African middle and lower oder. Half-centuries from Chad Bowes and Diego Rosier had taken the hosts to 143 for 2 in the 35th over. Qadir dismissed Rosier and three balls later Nawaz had Bowes caught behind. The new batsmen were under pressure to attack from the outset and Nawaz took advantage, helping himself to four more wickets to finish with 5 for 33. Qadir, who had taken two wickets in Pakistan's victory over Zimbabwe Under-19s the previous day, finished with 3 for 53.

Pakistan had been put in, and their openers put together a 143-run partnership. Babar Azam got his second half-century of the tournament but it was Aslam who dominated the partnership. Aslam scored 112 off 133 balls including 11 fours. When Aslam was dismissed in the 40th over, Pakistan were 216 for 3 and looking at an imposing total. However, they got just 44 runs off the last 10.4 overs while losing six wickets. Nineteen-year-old fast bowler Rabian Engelbrecht disrupted Pakistan's progress, dismissing Aslam and Adnan Mehmood off consecutive balls before accounting for Nawaz four overs later. Left-arm spinner Lesiba Ngoepe made sure the tail did not add quick runs, and finished with 3 for 47.

While the end to Pakistan's innings was disappointing, the work of their openers had ensured they reached a defendable total, and their bowlers completed the job.