U19 World Cup: Pakistan inflict early blows on Zimbabwe
Cricket
Pakistan U19 aims to end their group-stage campaign with a win over Zimbabwe U19 at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. They are currently 2nd in Group C
HARARE (Dunya News) – Pakistan won the toss and put Zimbabwe in to bat the 19th match of the ICC Under-19 World Cup here at the Takashinga Sports Club on Thursday.
Pakistan have claimed three wickets conceding 35 runs in nine overs.
The Asian champions, who are part of Group ‘C’ in the ongoing mega event, defeated Scotland by six wickets on Monday, while they suffered a 37-run defeat against England on Friday.
Farhan Yousaf-led Pakistan side, who recently won the tri-series in Zimbabwe by beating the hosts by nine wickets in the final, will be expecting their players to replicate those performances in tomorrow’s important encounter.
The first ball of the match will be bowled at 9.30am local time, with the toss scheduled at 9am.
In head-to-head contests, Pakistan U19 and Zimbabwe U19 have faced each other 18 times, with Pakistan winning 15 matches. Zimbabwe have won once, while two matches ended with no result due to rain.
As per the format of the 16-team, four-group tournament, the top three sides from each group will qualify for the Super Six stage. The top three teams from Group ‘B’ will join the three qualifiers from Group ‘C’ to form one Super Six group. Similarly, the top three teams from Group ‘A’ will combine with the three qualifiers from Group ‘D’ in the other group.
Pakistan, who are currently placed second in Group ‘C’ (C2), are likely to face B3 at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday, 27 January, before taking on B1 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday, 1 February.
The top two teams from each Super Six group will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled to be played on 3 and 4 February, respectively. The final of the tournament will be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Friday, 6 February.
Earlier, Pakistan U19 team took part in a training session in the afternoon at the Old Hararians under the supervision of the coaching staff led by Shahid Anwar. The session lasted for over two hours, with batters and bowlers engaging in net sessions, followed by fielding drills.
15-member squad
Farhan Yousaf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hasan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan (wk), Niqab Shafiq, Sameer Minhas and Umar Zaib
