Preview: 1st Semi final of the Costcutter World Challenge

The Pakistan Under-15 team faces England Under-15 in the semi finals of the Costcutter World Challenge Cup, being played at the County ground Chelmsford today (Saturday).

England came into the semi finals for being the leaders of Group 'A' the position that they achieved by defeating Holland in the 1st encounter. Pakistan made it to the semis when their game against Zimbabwe was washed out by rain when they were chasing a total of 131 runs. Pakistan having secured only one point from the match was thus tied with Sri Lanka as both the teams had 3 points each. They, however, made into the semi final for having defeated Sri Lanka by 36 runs in the league match.

In this match Pakistan Under-15 batting first managed a total of 149 with Shahid Yousuf (39) being the top scorer. Muhammad Naeem (23) and Zulqarnain (21) were the other batsmen, who facing the Sri Lankan bowlers with immense confidence helped in raising the score. A solid partnership of 54 runs between Shahid Yousuf and Zulqarnain was also instrumental in piling up the fighting total of 149.

In reply Sri Lanka was all out for 113 runs with Gunawardena (23) and Saudaruwan (20) being the prominent scorers. The pace bowlers having made not much of an impact it proved to be the spinners' day. Talal Zia played havoc with the ball claiming 4 wickets for 24 runs. The victory having landed the Pakistan youngsters into the semi finals, how well they perform against England will be seen in today's match.

It may be noted that Under-15 is a new string as far as Pakistan's domestic cricket is concerned. The selection and performance of the present team is the result of determined efforts put in the last 3 months in which a few thousand talented youngsters appeared in the country-wide trials. The team was thus formed out of the country's cream of young boys to participate in the Asian championship recently held in Malaysia. With other competing teams from India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Thailand, Bangladesh and the hosts Malaysia, the competition was not easy. Still the Pakistan Under-15 emerged as the Runners up, having been defeated by India in the finals.

Not much known about the prowess of their opponents one cannot possibly comment on the performance of the two teams or forecast the result. England certainly enjoys the advantage of home ground and the weather. The proverbial conclusion thus remains that, the team performing better shall win.