In a thrilling encounter at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan U19 secured a commanding victory over Sri Lanka U19 by six wickets. The win also saw Pakistan take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. It was a match dominated by outstanding individual performances, but ultimately, it was Shamyl Hussain who stole the show with his remarkable innings.
Sri Lanka U19 won the toss and opted to bat first, setting a target of 290 for the home team. They managed to score 289 for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Rusanda Gamage, the star batter for the visitors, played a brilliant innings, scoring 110 runs from 127 deliveries, including six boundaries. Wicket-keeper batter Sharujan Shanmuganathan contributed a valuable 61 runs off 75 balls.
The Pakistan U19 bowlers, mainly the right-arm pacers, had a good day on the field. Aftab Ahmed was the most successful among them, finishing with figures of 3 wickets for 31 runs. Ubaid Shah and Mohammad Ibtisam chipped in with two wickets each, restricting Sri Lanka to a sub-300 total.
In response, Pakistan U19 showcased their prowess with the bat, led by an incredible innings from opener Shamyl Hussain. Hussain’s magnificent 150 came from just 109 deliveries, featuring 13 boundaries and seven maximums. His explosive innings effectively turned the game in Pakistan’s favor. Riazullah Khan played a crucial supporting role, contributing 48 runs from 62 balls, including two boundaries.
As the innings progressed, Arafat Minhas (34 not out) and Haroon Arshad (27 not out) showed composure and steered Pakistan U19 to a well-deserved victory, with 4.1 overs to spare. Their partnership was unbroken, and it included a vital 66-run stand that took the home side across the finish line. Pakistan U19 reached the target of 290 in 45.5 overs, securing a six-wicket win.
Sri Lanka’s Sineth Jayawardene and Ruvishan Perera managed to claim two wickets each during the chase, but it was not enough to stop Pakistan U19’s charge.
Shamyl Hussain’s sensational century earned him the “Player of the Match” award, and his outstanding performance will be remembered as a turning point in the series.
The series now stands at 2-1 in favor of Pakistan U19, and cricket enthusiasts are eagerly looking forward to the fourth one-day match scheduled for October 29 at the same venue, the National Bank Stadium, Karachi.
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