Nazir, Ali guide Pakistan U-19 to thrilling win

An unbroken 53-run partnership between Rohan Sanjaya and Ashain Daniel was in vain as Skipper Rohail Nazir and Haider Ali cracked half centuries to help the touring Pakistan Under19 record a thrilling three-wicket win with one ball to spare over Sri Lanka Under-19 in the second Youth ODI played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Hambantota yesterday.

Pakistan Under-19 in quest of a modest target of 221 runs were guided by Skipper Nazir who led from the front with a fine knock of 87. He was also associated in two fruitful partnerships.

Skipper Nazir cracked 87 in 98 balls inclusive of seven boundaries while Ali made a 60-ball 56 inclusive six boundaries and they were associated in a second-wicket stand of 60 runs.

The visitors lost three quick wickets and were in a spot of bother with the score at 131 for five in the 29th over.

But Skipper Nazir came to the rescue of his side once again when he put on a valuable 62-run stand for the sixth-wicket with Junaid Khan.

Earlier, Sri Lanka Under19 Skipper Nipun Dhananjaya won the toss for the second successive time but fell into deep trouble as they lost their top six wickets with the score on 69 in the 18th over.

Avishka Tharindu who made a top score of 54 along with Chamindu Wijesinghe rescued the side with the pair adding 74 for the seventh-wicket.

Rohan Sanjaya and Ashain

Printed and published by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. on Wednesday May 29, 2019 at No. 8, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 02 Daniel then put on an unbroken stand of 53 runs for the ninthwicket which turned out to be in vain. The two teams will play their 3rd Youth ODI on May 31 at the same venue.

Sri Lanka Under-19: 220/8 in 50 overs (Avishka Tharindu 54, Chamindu Wijesinghe 28, Rohan Sanjaya 45 n.o, Ashian Daniel 20 n.o, Akhtar Shah 2/32, Junaid Khan 2/39)

Pakistan Under-19: 221/7 in 49.5 overs (Rohail Nazir 87, Haider Ali 56, Junaid Khan 30, Dilshan Madusanka 2/27, Dilum Sudeera 2/35, Navod Paranavithana 2/51) MSA