Pakistan pip Afghans in U-19 Asia Cup semis

KABUL after a cut-throat competition in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-19 Asia Cup semifinal in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, an official said.

Afghanistan were restricted to 196 runs after they won the toss and elected to bat first at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) spokesman said.

Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News Hashmatullah Shahidi top-scored with 51 for the national squad, followed by Waheedullah Shafaq with 48 runs. 

Shahidullah (27) and Ihsanullah (22) were principal contributors, as Afghan batsmen were constantly kept in check by Pakistani bowlers.

For the opposition, Karamat Ali was the pick of Pakistani bowlers. He claimed five wickets for 33 runs in his 10-over spell. Salman Saeed captured three scalps, while Zafar Gohar dismissed two Afghan batsmen.

Pakistan achieved the modest target for the loss of eight wickets, cruising into the final. Sami Aslam smashed a superb 75, including eight boundaries and two sixes. Imamul Haq chipped in with 42 and Hasan Raza 33.

Ziaur Rahman bagged two wickets for Afghanistan, while Syed Sherzad, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Muslim Musa and Mohammad Mujtaba had to be content with wicket each.

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