Pakistan win a thriller, Zol ton not enough for India

Vijay Zol's century was not enough for India Under-19s.

 India Under-19s almost pulled off a dramatic chase of 288 against Pakistan Under-19s but fell one run short at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur. Needing 17 to win off the final over, Rush Kalaria, who was batting on 24, started with a six but was caught at long-off off the next ball. Two boundaries and a single came off the next three, leaving India needing two off the final delivery. Mohsin Sayyed, however, could only drive it back to the bowler, giving Pakistan their second victory of the competition.

Vijay Zol was unbeaten at the other end on 109. Zol's stands with his captain Unmukt Chand and Akshdeep Nath were the backbone of India's innings. He had also added 51 in five overs with Kalaria for the seventh wicket to keep up with the asking rate after India had lost 3 for 32 to slip to 226 for 6.

Pakistan on the other hand paced their innings wel. A stand of 213 for the second wicket between Man of the match Sami Aslam, who scored 121, and Imam-ul-Haq, who scored 88, guided them to an imposing total.

The group B contest between Sri Lanka Under-19s and Bangladesh Under-19s was not such a high-scoring match. Having made 363 against Qatar on the opening day, Bangladesh slumped to 83 for 8 in their chase of 184 and were finally bowled out for 140 after a 55-run stand for the ninth wicket. Sri Lanka's spinner Amila Aponso took four wickets to rip through the Bangladesh middle order and he was well supported by offspinner Tharindu Kaushal, who took three wickets.

It was a bowlers' match and left-hand batsman Sandun Weerakkody was the only half-centurion, scoring 69. Bangladesh legspinner Noor Hussain took four wickets, and medium-pacer Dewan Sabbir three.

Malaysia Under-19s were also bowled out for 140 by Nepal Under-19s and were beaten by 107 runs in their group A match. A five-wicket haul by Rahul Vishwakarma ensured the hosts were outclassed; they had been reduced to 111 for 8 at one stage.

Nepal's innings of 247 revolved around Sagar Pun, who had an 84-run partnership with R Pulami Magar and the first-wicket stand of 74 between Subash Khakurel and Pradeep Airee. Pun eventually made 71, enough for Nepal to put the game beyond Malaysia.

Afghanistan Under-19s produced a commanding performance with bat and ball to thrash Qatar Under-19s by 191 runs. They amassed 308 and then dismissed Qatar for 117.

Afghanistan had significant partnerships for the first and second wickets, and their middle order contributed as well. Shabir Noori and Noor-ul-Haq scored half-centuries but no one went on to make a hundred.

After that batting performance, Javed Ahmedi, Noori and Aftab Alam ran through the Qatar line-up. A third-wicket partnership of 53 between Taha Muhammed and Tamoor Sajjad was the only stand of note as Qatar wickets kept falling at regular intervals.