Hammad Azam steers Pakistan U19s to opening victory

Pakistan opener Hammad Azam scored 39 runs and followed it up with a three-wicket haul to help his side defeat Zimbabwe by 126 runs in the first ODI of the six-match U19 series at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

Zimbabwe lost the plot early on losing both its openers for nought with only Gary Chirimuta top-scoring with 22. The side was reduced to 86 in less than 35 overs with Azam picking up 3-26 and two-wicket hauls each from Shahzaib Ahmed (2-4), Kaleem Sana (2-19) and Raza Hasan (2-15).

Earlier, Pakistan was put on to bat and was dismissed to 212 in 49.2 overs after Roy Kaia produced a fine bowling display to trouble the lower batting order and finish with figures of 5-25. Hammad Azam top top-scored with 39 in 43 balls followed with Rameez Aziz (35 in 46 balls).

The two sides will next meet for a Twenty20 clash on Friday at Harare followed with the second ODI on Sunday.