Waseem’s best sends Scotland packing

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa: Fast bowlers Mohammad Waseem (5-12) and Tahir Hussain (3-23) blew away Scotland Under-19s as Pakistan Under-19s got off to a perfect start in the ICC U19 World Cup 2020 with a seven-wicket win at the North West University Oval here Sunday, says a PCB press release.

Scotland, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, lost both openers in the opening over of the match as Tahir Hussain, playing his first match for Pakistan, sent the stumps of Angus Guy and Ben Davidson flying.

Tahir then added the wicket of Tomas Mackintosh, who top-scored for Scotland with 20 runs, to his tally.

Waseem took over from there. The right-arm pacer’s first wicket was of Jasper Davidson as he made full use of the opportunity with a probing spell of pace bowling.

Abbas Afridi took two quick wickets before Waseem polished off the tail taking the last four wickets as Scotland were sent packing for 75 in 23.5 overs.

Waseem recorded the best figures in the opening match as he took five wickets for mere 12 runs in 7.5 overs.

Tahir took 3-23 in nine overs, while Abbas took 2-32 in six overs. It took only 11.4 overs for Pakistan to chase down the target.

Their run-chase was off to a shaky start as openers Haider Ali (four) and Mohammad Shehzad (0) were back in the pavilion in the first eight balls.

Captain Rohail Nazir and Irfan Khan weathered the storm with a 47-run stand for the second-wicket.

Rohail scored 27 off 23 balls, which included two fours a six, while Irfan returned not out with 38 runs to his name. The right-handed batsman faced 37 balls, of which six were dispatched for fours. Pakistan will now take on Zimbabwe U19s in their second group match on January 22.

Scores in brief: Scotland U19 75 all out in 23.5 overs (Uzzair Shah 20, Tomas Mackintosh 17; Mohammad Waseem 5-12, Tahir Hussain 3-23, Abbas Afridi 2-32). Pakistan U19 77-3 in 11.4 overs (Irfan Khan 38 not out, Rohail Nazir 27). Result: Pakistan U19s won by seven wickets.