Pakistan tops Group D of the U19 World Cup 2024 in South Africa after defeating Nepal by 5 wickets on Wednesday. At Buffalo Park, East London, the team reached 198 runs with 14 balls to spare. Azan Awais’ undefeated 63 took the team home. Pakistan bowled Nepal out for 197 earlier. Ubaid Shah and Ahmed Hussain both took two wickets, but Arafat Minhas took three. The top scorer for Nepal was Bipin Rawal (39). Pakistan beat Nepla by five wickets in an ICC Men’s U19 World Cup match in East London.
U19 World Cup 2024: Azan Awais Helps PAK Beat NEP by 5 Wickets
Nepal’s strong start collapsed after Pakistan bowlers gained control in the middle overs. Nepal scored quickly in the first Powerplay. Despite losing Arjun Kumal and Aakash Tripathi, they scored 55. But the economical Ali Asfand got rid of Nepal captain Dev Khanal for 23.
Pakistan took charge when Arafat Minhas dismissed Uttam Magar and Bipin Rawal between overs 21-30. After Khubaib Khalil caught veteran Gulshan Jha for 18, the Boys in Green entered the tail. Like before, Nepal’s tail stood up when it mattered. Subash Bhandari and Aakash Chand cameos helped the Rhinos finish around 200.
Pakistan openers chose caution over style in the first Powerplay. Three boundaries between Shahzaib Khan and Shamyl Hussain limited the opening Powerplay to 33 runs. The partnership added 42 runs between overs 11-20, but the scoring rate only slightly increased.
Aakash Chand’s short-ball strategy dismissed the openers in the same over for Nepal. Shahzaib and Shamyl were caught in the leg-side while fighting Chand. Impatience caused the entering batters to lose wickets trying to hit the Nepal medium pacers into the stand. The loss of Arafat Minhas (8) and Saad Baig (0) slowed scoring.
Pakistan needed a miracle, and Azan Awais and Ahmad Hassan saved them in the fifth wicket. The pair carefully added runs at a slow tempo while keeping their wickets. Pakistan was close to winning after their 64-run stand. Men in Green crossed the line in the 48th over.
