Pakistan thrash Scotland by six wickets to register first win in U-19 World Cup

Pakistan registered their first victory of the ICC Under-19 World Cup with a convincing six-wicket win over Scotland in Harare on Monday, 24NewsHD TV reported. 

Batting first, Scotland were bowled out for 187 runs in the 49th over.

Scotland suffered early setbacks as pacer Ali Raza struck in the opening over, dismissing both openers — Theo Robinson for four off two balls and Max Chaplin for two.

Captain Thomas Knight and Rory Grant then steadied the innings, adding valuable runs and taking the total past the 50-run mark.

Their partnership was broken when Momin Qamar removed Grant for a vital 21 off 45 deliveries, including one boundary, leaving Scotland at 59-3 in 16.5 overs.

A few overs later, Momin struck again to claim his second wicket, dismissing Finlay Carter for 12 off 16 balls with the help of two fours.

Knight and Ollie Jones combined to rebuild the innings, forging a steady partnership that carried Scotland past 100 in the 26th over.

However, the 40-run stand ended when Ali Raza returned to hit the stumps and dismiss Jones for a crucial 30 off 35 deliveries, which included three boundaries, with the score at 115-5 in 28.4 overs.

Scotland came under further pressure in the next over as Momin Qamar claimed the prized wicket of skipper Knight, who top-scored with 37 off 72 balls, including three fours.

Manu Saraswat and Finlay Jones then added a fighting 50-run partnership for the seventh wicket, helping Scotland recover and push towards a competitive total.

Pakistan’s fast bowler Ali Raza delivered an impressive spell, claiming four wickets for 37 runs.

He was well supported by Momin Qamar, who picked up three wickets while conceding 46 runs.

In reply, Pakistan Under-19 chased down the 188-run target comfortably, reaching the total in the 44th over with the loss of four wickets.

In the first delivery of the 12th over, Pakistan lost their second wicket as Jones struck again, dismissing the dangerous Sameer Minhas for 28 off 30 balls, which included three fours.

Usman Khan and Ahmed Hussain then joined forces, steadily adding crucial runs and forging a strong third-wicket partnership.

The duo added 50 runs, easing the pressure and taking Pakistan past the 100-run mark, setting the platform to chase down the target comfortably.

Usman was in top form with the bat, playing sensibly for the green shirts and guiding his side closer to victory by scoring a half-century.

The 111-run partnership was finally broken when Manu Saraswat struck, claiming the prized wicket of Usman Khan, who had played a gutsy innings of 75 off 85 balls, including five boundaries and two sixes, leaving the team at 159-3 in 38.1 overs.

Hussain was inching closer to his third Youth ODI half-century and a win for his side, but was soon dismissed by Saraswat for 47 off 92 balls, including three boundaries.

Skipper Farhan Yousaf then hit the winning runs, remaining unbeaten on 18 off 11 deliveries, while Huzaifa faced nine balls without scoring.

The victory comes after Pakistan suffered a defeat against England in their opening match of the tournament, keeping their campaign alive in the competition.