Pakistan reach ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup semis

KARACHI: Pakistan reached the semi-finals of the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019 when they defeated Oman by 147 runs on the back of opener Haider Ali’s century at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, on Monday.

Chasing 320, Oman were never in the hunt as they lost four wickets for 15 runs inside the first six overs. The side got bowled out in the 48th over for 172 runs.

For Oman, Mohammad Nadeem and Sandeep Goud showed some resistance and contributed a 67-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Nadeem top-scored with 46 off 68 balls, and struck seven fours. Sandeep scored a 83-ball 41.

For Pakistan, leg-spinner Mohammad Mohsin took two wickets for 16 runs in eight overs, while pacers Mohammad Hasnain and Sameen Gul grabbed two wickets apiece. Earlier, Pakistan scored 319 for six in 50 overs after being put into bat. Openers Haider and Omair Bin Yousuf provided a solid 67-run start to the innings. Omair fell to right-arm pacer Mohammad Nadeem after scoring 33 off 38 balls, hitting three fours.

Haider and wicket-keeper batsman Rohail Nazir contributed 107 runs for the second wicket off 129 balls. Rohail scored a 72-ball 64 studded with six fours and a six. Haider ended with an enterprising 118 off 132 balls laced with 10 fours and two sixes. Khushdil Shah contributed a quickfire unbeaten 54 off 24 balls, hitting three fours and five sixes.