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| The captains, Javed Ahmadi and Babar Azam, before the start of the semi-final. |
A strong all-round performance by Pakistan Under-19s helped them beat
Afghanistan Under-19s by 151 runs and qualify for the final of the
Under-19 Asia Cup, where they will play either India or Sri Lanka on
July 1.
Pakistan's opener Sami Aslam, who has been in fine form in the
tournament with scores of 121, 82 not out and 47 in earlier matches,
scored 77 with ten boundaries. Aslam and captain Babar Azam put on a
69-run opening stand, before Azam was dismissed for 33.
Azam's departure didn't prove a dampener for Pakistan, as Imam-ul-Haq
continued attacking the Afghan bowlers. Haq scored 69, with seven fours,
before being bowled by Sharafudin.
Umar Waheed, who top-scored for Pakistan with 76 in their last match
against Malaysia, carried his form into the semifinal by scoring 77 at
over a run a ball. Waheed and Mohammad Nawaz scored 76 runs in the last
ten overs to help their side post 296 for 3.
Afghanistan faltered at the start of their innings, with Ehsan Adil
dismissing by both openers cheaply. Their middle-order showed some
resistance, with Mohibullah Paak top scoring 41, with two fours and one
six.
But Pakistan's right-arm fast bowler Azizullah kept the pressure on,
picking four wickets in his nine-over spell, to help his side dismiss
the opposition for 145 and clinch an easy victory.
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