On Saturday, Pakistan overcame Bangladesh by five runs in their second Super Six game in Benoni, South Africa, to qualify for the 2024 ICC U19 World Cup semi-finals. Saad Baig’s Boys in Green played brilliantly to reach the U19 World Cup semi-finals by defending 155. India, Australia, and South Africa advanced to the final four yesterday. Pakistan followed. Ubaid Shah, 17, led again, with a fifer while Ali Raza grabbed three key wickets.
2024 U19 World Cup: Pakistan beat Bangladesh to reach semis
Muhammad Zeeshan grabbed the last wicket to give Pakistan a tremendous triumph over the Tigers. Pakistan has five tournament wins and is unbeaten. They beat Afghanistan, Nepal, and New Zealand in the group stage and Ireland and Bangladesh in Super Six. Bangladesh bowled after winning the toss, sending Pakistan to bat. Shahzaib Khan and Shamyl Hussain attacked after negotiating the first overs.
Hussain led the run-scoring, but Rohanat Doullah Borson’s ball strayed and hit his off stump. Pakistan reached 50/1 by the end of the first Powerplay, but the Tigers rallied in the middle overs. Lead by Borson and Sheikh Jibon, they destroyed Pakistan’s top and middle order, losing their sixth wicket at 89. Unfortunately, the batting innings never recovered and failed to finish their overs. Bangladesh’s best bowlers were Jibon and Borson, both with 4/24. Including the aggressive Jishan Alam, Pakistan’s Ubaid Shah took two fast wickets upfront to recover.
After catching Ahrar Amin’s edge at first slip, Haroon Arshad took his third wicket. Ubaid’s third wicket was Bangladesh’s fourth, requiring Ariful Islam and Md Shihab James to stabilize the innings. Ariful fell in the next over, almost bowling an Ali Raza delivery past point, but Shamyl made a superb catch at point. Bangladesh fell to 83/6 after Ubaid’s fourth wicket in the 20th over.
With 73 runs left, Shihab and rookie Mahfuzur Rahman rebuilt the chase. Shihab led the scoring while Mahfuzur held firm. Ubaid missed a simple catch in the 29th over, saving Shihab. Ubaid fixed it by dismissing Shihab in the next over. Ali Raza soon took over, restoring Pakistani control.
Pakistan were close to winning when a direct hit took the ninth wicket at 127. Borson and Maruf Mridha fought for the final wicket, bringing Bangladesh within six runs of winning by the 37th over.However, Mohammad Zeeshan caused Maruf to fend one back onto his stumps, securing the win for Pakistan. Pakistan faces South Africa in the semis, while India faces Australia.
