Arafat Minhas Leads Pakistan U19 to a 59-Run Victory in the Second One-Day

Pakistan U19 secured a 59-run win over Sri Lanka U19 in the second match of the five-game one-day series at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. With this victory, the series stands at 1-1 with three more exciting contests yet to be played.

The Sri Lankan openers, Pulindu Perera and Sineth Jayawardene, embarked on their chase of the 255-run target with promising starts. Perera showcased an aggressive batting display, scoring 36 off just 28 balls before losing his wicket to Ubaid Shah. Jayawardane contributed 21 off 31 deliveries but fell victim to Mohammad Ibtisam.

Vishen Halambage added 13 runs off 23 balls before being bowled by Aftab Ahmed. Right-handed batter Ravishan de Silva showed resilience, crafting 32 runs from 36 balls before leg-spinner Ahmed Hussain claimed his wicket. The fall of Dinura Kalupahana’s wicket (19 off 43 balls) signaled the beginning of Sri Lanka’s middle-order collapse.

The Pakistani bowlers, led by Ubaid Shah, continued their dominance as they sent Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Malsha Tharupathi, and Vishal Lahiru back to the pavilion, each with fewer than 15 runs to their names. Ravishan Perera and Garuka Sanketh also succumbed to Ubaid Shah, and Vihas Thewmika managed to salvage 32 not out from 43 balls.

In their innings, Pakistan posted a formidable total of 254 all out in 46.5 overs. The star of the show was all-rounder Arafat Minhas, who played a blistering innings, accumulating 95 runs off just 66 deliveries, featuring nine boundaries and three maximums, falling just five runs short of a well-deserved century. Opener Shamyl Hussain made a valuable 53 off 84 balls.

Other contributors for Pakistan U19 included Riazullah Khan (28 off 39 balls), Pakistan U19 captain Saad Baig (19 off 25 balls), and Naveed Ahmed Khan, who remained unbeaten with 15 off 10 balls.

For Sri Lanka U19, Garuka Sanketh and Ruvishan Perera picked up three wickets each, while Jayawardene contributed with one wicket.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan U19: 254 all out in 46.5 overs (Arafat Minhas 95, Shamyl Hussain 53)

Sri Lanka U19: 195 all out in 43.4 overs (Pulindu Perera 36, Ravishan de Silva 32)

Player of the Match – Arafat Minhas (Pakistan U19)