Bangladesh vs Pakistan U19: Rizwanullah's 5-30 sends Pakistan to final
Pakistan U19 crushed Bangladesh by nine wickets in the Asia Cup semi-final in Oman, chasing 139 in 21.5 overs. Here is how it happened and who they face next.
Pakistan’s under-19 side are into the Asia Cup final. In the first semi-final at Al Amerat in Oman on Thursday, 12 November, they bowled Bangladesh out for 138 and then knocked off the runs for the loss of one wicket, with 169 balls to spare. We previewed this game on Wednesday; this is the result.
The margin, nine wickets, tells you how one-sided it was. Bangladesh never got going after Pakistan’s young fast bowler Rizwanullah ripped through the top and middle order.
How did Pakistan bowl Bangladesh out for 138?
Rizwanullah finished with five wickets for 30 runs in eight overs, according to the scorecard published on ESPNcricinfo and match reports in Daily Times. Bangladesh lasted only 31.4 overs. With more than 18 overs of their innings unused, Bangladesh left Pakistan a target that never looked like a contest.
Who won the chase for Pakistan?
The openers settled it. Hayam Khan and Usman Khan put on 123 for the first wicket before Robiul Hasan Anik finally removed Hayam for 69. Usman stayed until the end, unbeaten on 64 off 54 balls, and Pakistan reached 141-1 in 21.5 overs.
Usman’s 64 came at better than a run a ball, and with only one wicket down the chase never wobbled. That is exactly what a chase of 139 needs: no drama, no collapse.
When is the U19 Asia Cup final?
Pakistan are the defending champions. Reports in Pakistan put the final on Saturday, 14 November, against the winner of the second semi-final between India and Afghanistan, which was still being played when Pakistan finished. India’s opener Aaryavir Sehwag, son of Virender Sehwag, has been the tournament’s top scorer so far, so an India-Pakistan final would be the one both countries want to watch.
Why it matters
Under-19 cricket is where Pakistan has found many of its senior fast bowlers. A five-wicket haul in a knockout match puts Rizwanullah’s name in front of the selectors, and Usman Khan’s calm chase shows the batting has a spine too. Pakistan go into the final without having been seriously tested since the group stage.
