Afghanistan skittle out Pakistan for 188
When asked at the toss of his side’s ambitions for the 2018 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan captain Naveen-ul-Haq was prompt, unrehearsed, and unequivocal: “We want to win the [main] trophy.”
With a spirited display, his bowlers gave him the perfect start on their quest to achieving that dream by bowling out Pakistan for 188 in their Group D opener at the Cobham Oval in Whangarei. Rohail Nazir, the Pakistan opener, scored a valiant 81, but received little support.
We have our first half-century of the tournament! Congratulations to Rohail Nazir! 🇵🇰 #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/Jpd8dzJVj9
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 12, 2018
Afghanistan were incisive with the ball, electric in the field, and vocal around the stumps. Every effort was cheered by a large group of supporters, and every delivery was high in intensity. Naveen led by example – his bowling was tight, but it was his aggression that stood out, and he soon had Pakistan reeling at 23/3. He probed the corridor expertly, inducing nicks off Zaid Alam, who flashed at a wide one and was caught in the slips for a duck, while Ammad Alam fell to an excellent take by wicket-keeper Ikram Ali Khil for five.
From there, Rohail Nazir and Ali Zaryab Asif led Pakistan’s recovery, putting on 88 for the third wicket. Rohail in particular looking in exceptionally good form and Zaryab offered good support, with a prominent feature of their stand the running between wickets.
Afghanistan restrict Pakistan to 188 in Whangarei, Rohail Nazir the stand-out batsmen with 81 off 105. Will the U19 Asia Cup champions claim victory over Pakistan once more? #U19CWC #PAKvAFG Scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/3CcRJDP0fo pic.twitter.com/Kj8WxaIq0s
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 13, 2018
Pakistan were in control as their total crossed 100, but after Zaryab miscued a slog off Nisar Wahdat’s part-time off-spin and was caught for 30, a collapse ensued.
Rohail was next to go, four overs after Zaryab’s fall, falling short of what would have been a fine century as he top-edged a sweep off legspinner Qais Ahmed to leg-slip. Qais returned in his next over to bowl Mohammad Taha before fast bowler Azmatullah Omarzai, claimed two scalps in an over, Saad Khan and Mohammad Musa the men to go.
Hasan Khan, the Pakistan captain, and Arshad Iqbal, the last man, nurdled around while Suleman Shafqat blocked heroically as the total inched upwards, but Pakistan were eventually dismissed for less than 200. It remains to be seen whether that will be enough.
