U19 World Cup: Pakistan beat Nepal by five wickets in East London
Cricket
Nepal scored at a brisk pace in the first Powerplay
(Web Desk) – Pakistan defeated Nepla by five wickets in a match of the ongoing ICC Men’s U19 World Cup in East London.
Nepal's confident start fell apart after Pakistan bowlers took control in the middle overs.
Nepal scored at a brisk pace in the first Powerplay. Despite losing Arjun Kumal and Aakash Tripathi, they added 55 to the score. However, the economical Ali Asfand got rid of the Nepal skipper Dev Khanal for 23.
Arafat Minhas then accounted for Uttam Magar and the set Bipin Rawal between overs 21-30 to put Pakistan in command. When Khubaib Khalil had the experienced Gulshan Jha caught for 18, the Boys in Green had entered the tail.
Just like the previous game, the Nepal tail stood up when it mattered. Cameos from Subash Bhandari and Aakash Chand helped the Rhinos finish close to 200.
Pakistan openers preferred safety over style in the first Powerplay. Only 33 runs came off the first Powerplay, with three boundaries between Shahzaib Khan and Shamyl Hussain. There was only a marginal increase in the scoring rate between overs 11-20, as the duo added 42 runs.
Aakash Chand struck back for Nepal, taking out the openers in the same over with his short ball tactic. Both Shahzaib and Shamyl tried to take on Chand and ended up getting caught on the leg-side.
The incoming batters lost their wickets due to impatience, trying to dispatch the Nepal medium pacers into the stand. The loss of Arafat Minhas (8) and Saad Baig (0) significantly brought down the scoring rate.
Pakistan were in dire need of a rescuing act, and they got the same with a fifth-wicket stand between Azan Awais and Ahmad Hassan. The duo went about their job patiently, adding runs at a modest pace, while keeping their wickets intact. Their 64-run stand put Pakistan on the brink of a win. The Men in Green eventually crossed the line in the 48th over.
