Pakistan face Afghans first up in U19 World Cup

Group D action will pit neighbours once more after minnows aced most recent clash

The upcoming ICC U19 Cricket World Cup will require the Pakistan team to set the record straight at the very outset. They will have to first prove they can cope with the pressure having suffered a heavy loss to their neighbours Afghanistan in November.

It may be recalled that Afghanistan thrashed Pakistan by 185 runs in the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup last year in Malaysia.

Pakistan have been one of the strongest sides in the U19 Cricket World Cup over the years. They won back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2006 and have also finished runners-up on three other occasions. Even in the previous edition, they lost to eventual champions the West Indies in the quarters.

For Pakistan, a lot will depend on skipper Hassan Khan, who made his first-class debut for Karachi Whites this season and is in top form. They have very good strike bowlers in Munir Riaz, who took eight wickets in the Asia Cup in Malaysia, and Shaheen Afridi.

Spin sensation

However all eyes will be on Afghanistan’s 16-year-old offspinner Mujeeb Zadran who produced a five-wicket spell for 13 runs against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final. He went on to make his one-day debut for the senior team in Sharjah by taking four for 24 against Ireland and bagged the player of the match award. He also played in Dubai in the T10 Cricket League for Bengal Tigers.

The fact that Afghanistan finished unbeaten in the Asia Cup qualifiers to earn an entry into the World Cup makes them the most formidable opponents for Pakistan in Group D. The other two teams in the group are Sri Lanka and Ireland.