Mohsin stars in Pakistan’s big triumph against Nepal

FATULLAH, Bangladesh: Hasan Mohsin first scored 106-ball 117 and then took 4 for 42 to help Pakistan record a convincing 122-run win against Nepal in the fifth-place playoff semi-final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup here at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium on Tuesday. After Pakistan lost the toss and made 258 for 8, Nepal were bowled out for 136 in 43.5 overs.

A day after losing the Super League quarter-final against West Indies at the same venue, Pakistan started on a shaky note, Aarif Sheikh’s twin strikes reducing them to 3 for 2 in 4.3 overs. Soon that became 30 for 3 before Saif Badar found a perfect ally in Mohsin.

The two put on 189 runs for the fourth wicket in 31.1 overs before Badar fell to Sandeep Lamichhane, the leg-spinner, in the 45th over. Badar’s patient 88 came off 118 deliveries in which he hit six fours and a six.

Lamichhane, the only bowler with a hat-trick in this edition, struck twice more. He had Mohsin caught by Dipendra Airee in his next over. Mohsin struck eight fours and three sixes.

Two balls later, Lamichhane accounted for Salman Fayyaz, who had been involved in the highest sixth-wicket partnership in the history of Youth One-Day Internationals with Umair Masood in the loss against West Indies.

Pakistan added 20 runs after Fayyaz’s dismissal.

Nepal lost five wickets in the first ten overs for 29 and never recovered.

Irfan Liaquat and Saif Ali picked up two wickets each to end the game.

Pakistan will take on the winners of the match between England and Namibia to decide the fifth place. Nepal will play against the losers of that match to decide the seventh-placed team.