Afghanistan and Pakistan U-19s cruise to massive wins
A round-up of the Under-19 World Cup games played on February 9, 2016
ESPNcricinfo staff
09-Feb-2016
File photo - Hasan Mohsin is now Pakistan's top-scorer and joint-highest wicket-taker too at the Under-19 World Cup • International Cricket Council
An outstanding all-round display from Hasan Mohsin helped Pakistan thump Nepal by 122 runs in the Under-19 World Cup. First, he came in with the score at 30 for 3 and struck a scintillating 117 off 106 balls in a total of 258. Then he took the new-ball and decimated the Nepal chase with 4 for 42 to in the fifth-place playoff semi-final in Fatullah.
The day had begun with tremendous promise for Nepal. They won the toss, opted to field and new-ball bowler Aarif Sheikh dismissed both Pakistan openers for a duck. Gauhar Hafeez, returning from injury to lead Pakistan, was sent back after 13 balls while his partner Mohammad Umar faced only three. When Hasan Khan succumbed to Dipendra Singh Airee's medium pace, Pakistan were teetering on the edge, with a run-rate of 2.25 per over besides the early blows. Then came the partnership that decided the result. Mohsin strode out to join Saif Badar (88 off 106) and added 189 runs in only 187 balls to wrest the advantage.
Mohsin's work was not done for the day though. He took the new ball and ran through Nepal's line-up in the chase, leaving them at 29 for 5. Prem Tamang, at No. 8, mustered an unbeaten 65 off 91 balls and under his leadership, the final three wickets dug in for nearly 27 overs. The contest, however, had been decided by the first 10 overs when Mohsin's figures read 5-0-11-4. He finished the match as top-scorer and joint highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in the tournament.
Afghanistan Under-19s eased to an eight-wicket win against New Zealand Under-19s in Cox's Bazar, to move to the ninth-place playoff final. New Zealand were reduced to 35 for 6 by the 19th over, after opting to bat. Useful contributions, however, from Josh Clarkson (25), Aniket Parikh (48) and Nathan Smith (23) took New Zealand to 135, before they were bowled out in the 45th over.
Rashid Khan picked up three wickets for 30, and bowled five maidens in his 10 overs. Zia-ur-Rehman and Shamsurrahman were also economical while picking up five wickets in between them.
Afghanistan lost Karim Janat for a run-a-ball 13, but captain Ihsanullah and Tariq Stanikzai steered Afghanistan closer to the target. Though Ihsanullah also fell to Aniket Parikh, for 47, Perwez Malakzai and Tariq finished the chase with 22.3 overs to spare.