Pakistan produced a thrilling performance to stay alive in the Zimbabwe-hosted U19 tri-series. The Asian champions edged past Afghanistan by one wicket in a tense encounter at Harare Sports Club on Saturday. The match went down to the final over, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. With this win, Pakistan revived its campaign after a difficult start to the tournament.
Afghanistan Post Modest Total After Batting First
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first. However, Pakistan’s disciplined bowling quickly put pressure on the batting unit. As a result, Afghanistan struggled to build momentum throughout the innings. The team eventually folded for 226 runs in the full 50 overs.
Opening batter Osman Sadat anchored the innings with a composed knock. He scored 75 runs off 106 balls, hitting four boundaries and one six. Meanwhile, captain Mahboob Khan offered support with a fighting 49. Faisal Shinozada also contributed with 31 runs. Despite these efforts, regular wickets prevented Afghanistan from posting a bigger total.
Usman Khan led Pakistan’s bowling attack with authority. He claimed four wickets for 37 runs in his ten overs. In addition, Mohammad Sayyam and Daniyal Ali Khan picked up two wickets each. Ahmed Hussain also chipped in with one wicket. Consequently, Pakistan restricted Afghanistan to a manageable target.
Pakistan’s Chase Falters After Early Collapse
In response, Pakistan’s run chase began on a shaky note. The top order failed to settle at the crease. Sameer Minhas fell for a duck, while other early wickets followed quickly. Within 13 overs, Pakistan slumped to 42 runs for multiple losses. Therefore, the pressure mounted on the middle order.
Captain Farhan Yousaf then stepped in to steady the innings. He formed a crucial partnership with Ahmed Hussain. Together, they added 89 runs for the fourth wicket. Their sensible batting revived Pakistan’s hopes and brought stability to the chase.
However, the momentum shifted again in the 31st over. Farhan departed after scoring 65 off 78 balls. Soon after, two more wickets fell in quick succession. Pakistan slipped to 149 for 6 in 35.1 overs. At that stage, the match hung in the balance.
Hamza Zahoor Holds Nerve to Seal Victory
Wicketkeeper-batter Hamza Zahoor then took charge of the chase. He played with maturity and confidence under pressure. While wickets kept falling at the other end, Hamza continued to rotate the strike. Moreover, he punished loose deliveries to keep the required run rate under control.
Hamza remained unbeaten on 68 off just 51 balls. His innings included eight fours and a six. Eventually, he guided Pakistan to victory with three balls remaining. The dramatic finish highlighted his composure and match awareness.
For Afghanistan, Salam Khan delivered an impressive bowling spell. He claimed four wickets for 44 runs. Zaitullah Shaheen picked up two wickets. Meanwhile, Nooristani Omarzai, Wahidullah Zadran, and Uzairullah Niazai took one wicket each.
Following this crucial win, Pakistan will face hosts Zimbabwe in their next match. The fixture will take place at the same venue on Monday. The team now carries momentum and renewed confidence into the contest.
