- Pakistan beat Bangladesh by nine wickets in the U19 Asia Cup semi-final in Oman
- Rizwanullah took 5 for 30 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 138
- Hayam Khan (69) and Usman Khan (64*) shared a 123-run opening stand
- Pakistan face India in Saturday's U19 Asia Cup final after India beat Afghanistan
Pakistan have reached the final of the U19 Asia Cup after a commanding nine-wicket win over Bangladesh at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on Thursday. The defending champions will now meet arch-rivals India in the title clash on Saturday.
In this article
India secured their own place in the U19 Asia Cup final by beating Afghanistan in the second semi-final. The result sets up an eagerly awaited meeting between the two subcontinental rivals.
U19 Asia Cup semi-final: Rizwanullah leads the bowling charge
After choosing to bowl, Pakistan dismissed Bangladesh for 138 in 31.4 overs. Fast bowler Rizwanullah was the pick of the attack, finishing with figures of 5 for 30 from his eight overs.
Bangladesh found it hard to build partnerships. Three of their top five batters were dismissed for single-digit scores, and the other bowlers shared the remaining wickets around Rizwanullah's haul.
Rizwanullah's five-wicket haul was the defining feature of the first innings. It left Bangladesh bowled out for 138, a total that Pakistan's openers would go on to chase down in 21.5 overs.
Abdullah Al Muhi's fifty not enough for Bangladesh
Opener Abdullah Al Muhi offered the only real resistance, top-scoring with 50 off 45 balls, including four fours and two sixes. His dismissal in the 14th over, however, triggered a collapse from which Bangladesh did not recover.
Rakibul Hossain made 26 off 39 balls and All Rafi added 20 off 22. Captain Farid Hasan scored 17, while SK Jarif Siyam, Ahsan Al Mumin and Sheikh Atiqur Rahman managed one run each. Robiul Hasan Anik and Rubay Islam Rizon were dismissed for ducks.
Apart from Muhi's 50, the next best scores in the Bangladesh innings were Rakibul Hossain's 26 and All Rafi's 20. Those contributions were not enough to lift the total beyond 138.
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 138 all out | 31.4 |
| Pakistan | 141/1 | 21.5 |
Openers finish the job early in the U19 Asia Cup semi-final
Chasing 139, Pakistan reached 141 for one in just 21.5 overs. Openers Hayam Khan and Usman Khan put together a 123-run partnership that effectively settled the contest.
Hayam struck 69 off 72 balls, with eight fours and a six, before falling to Robiul Hasan. Usman remained unbeaten on 64 off 54 deliveries, with seven fours and two sixes, and ended the chase with a boundary and a six off consecutive balls. Abdul Qadir was unbeaten on eight.
Hayam's wicket was the only one Pakistan lost in the chase. That is why the margin of victory was nine wickets.
Background: Pakistan's unbeaten U19 Asia Cup run
The win extended Pakistan's unbeaten run in the tournament. In the group stage they had beaten the United Arab Emirates, India and Nepal.
That means Saturday's final will be a second meeting with India in this edition of the U19 Asia Cup. Pakistan are also the defending champions, and they have already beaten India once in the U19 Asia Cup group stage.
U19 Asia Cup explained: how the semi-final unfolded
Pakistan chose to bowl first at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman. Bangladesh were bowled out for 138 in 31.4 overs, with Rizwanullah taking 5 for 30 from his eight overs.
Abdullah Al Muhi's 50 off 45 balls, with four fours and two sixes, was the highest score of the Bangladesh innings. Once he was dismissed in the 14th over, the innings collapsed and Bangladesh did not recover.
Pakistan then chased 139 and finished on 141 for one in 21.5 overs. Hayam Khan made 69, Usman Khan was unbeaten on 64 and Abdul Qadir was not out on eight.
That sequence gave Pakistan a nine-wicket victory and a place in the U19 Asia Cup final.
What the result means for the U19 Asia Cup final
Pakistan will meet India on Saturday for the title. India reached the final by beating Afghanistan in the second semi-final, while Pakistan got there by beating Bangladesh.
As defending champions, Pakistan now have the chance to retain the trophy. They will face an India side they have already beaten in the group stage.
U19 Asia Cup player notes from the semi-final
Rizwanullah: The fast bowler finished with 5 for 30 from eight overs, the best bowling figures of the match and the foundation of Pakistan's win.
Hayam Khan: The opener scored 69 off 72 balls, with eight fours and a six, before he fell to Robiul Hasan.
Usman Khan: He was unbeaten on 64 off 54 deliveries, with seven fours and two sixes. He ended the chase with a boundary and a six off consecutive balls.
Abdullah Al Muhi: The Bangladesh opener top-scored with 50 off 45 balls, including four fours and two sixes, but fell in the 14th over.
Pakistan will face India in the U19 Asia Cup final on Saturday.
U19 Asia Cup questions and answers
Who will Pakistan play in the U19 Asia Cup final?
Pakistan will play India on Saturday. India reached the final by beating Afghanistan in the other semi-final.
How did Pakistan beat Bangladesh in the semi-final?
Pakistan bowled Bangladesh out for 138, with Rizwanullah taking 5 for 30. They then chased the target for the loss of one wicket in 21.5 overs.
Who were Pakistan's top scorers?
Hayam Khan scored 69 off 72 balls and Usman Khan was unbeaten on 64 off 54 balls. Together they added 123 for the first wicket.
Who was Bangladesh's top scorer?
Opener Abdullah Al Muhi top-scored with 50 off 45 balls, including four fours and two sixes. He was dismissed in the 14th over.
Who took the most wickets in the semi-final?
Rizwanullah was the most successful bowler, finishing with 5 for 30 from his eight overs.
Where and when was the semi-final played?
The semi-final was played at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on Thursday.
Which teams did Pakistan beat in the group stage of the U19 Asia Cup?
In the group stage Pakistan beat the United Arab Emirates, India and Nepal. They have remained unbeaten in the tournament.
How many overs did Pakistan need to chase the target?
Pakistan needed 21.5 overs to reach 141 for one, chasing a target of 139.
