Afghanistan tame Pakistan in tri-series final

KARACHI: Haroon Arshad’s 59-ball 70 went in vain as Pakistan fell 21 runs short against Afghanistan in the final of the U19 tri-series on Tuesday evening at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

Chasing 251 to win, the opening pair of Shahzaib Khan and Usman Khan couldn’t provide a solid start as Usman got out for eight with 11 runs on the board. Shahzaib was then joined by right-hand batter Mohammad Riazullah and the pair stitched a 44-run partnership for the second wicket before Riazullah was adjudged leg-before-wicket to Naseer Khan Maroofkhil for a 38-ball 21, which included two fours. Captain Saad Baig (14, 22b, 1x6) was the next batter to return to the pavilion with score reading 87 for three in 24.5 overs. Shahzaib, who has scored one century and two half-centuries before today’s game, went on to score yet another half-century keeping the innings intact. He was dismissed for a 98-ball 53, smashing five boundaries.

Right-hand batter Haroon, in at No.5, and Farhan Yousaf got together and knitted a 51-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Farhan (29, 30b, 4x4s) was dismissed in the 40th over with 83 runs required off 64 balls. Haroon hit four boundaries and his stay at the crease was cut short by Nooristani Omarzai. Pakistan could only add 31 runs for the last four wickets as they were bowled out for 229 with 12 balls to spare.