Pakistan secure U-19 World Cup quarter final spot

Pakistan have qualified for the quarter-final of the U-19 World Cup after defeating Sri Lanka in a thrilling contest by three wickets on Friday at Whangarei.

After winning the toss, Pakistan asked Sri Lanka to bat first. Arshad Iqbal gave the Green Shirts an early breakthrough when he removed Nipun Dananjaya cheaply at an aggregate score of six.

The Islanders kept losing wickets at regular intervals, they were 72/5 when Jehan Daniel and Ashen Bandara joined hands to contribute 78 runs together.

Daniel was the highest scorer for Sri Lanka with 53 runs, whereas Bandara made 37 runs which took Sri Lanka to 189 runs. No other Sri Lankan batsmen was able to pass 20-run mark.

Suleman Shafqat was the star performer with the ball for Pakistan as he picked three wickets for 29 runs in 7.2 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets, while Arshad Iqbal, Muhammad Zaid Alam and Hasan Khan picked one wicket each.

Pakistan too suffered an early loss in the form of Rohail Nazir, who took the long walk back to the dressing room without scoring.

The men in Green lost second wicket on 25 runs when Ammad Alam was bowled by Rashmika on 12 runs.

Pakistan qualify for the #U19CWC quarter-finals! They survive a nervy chase against Sri Lanka to win by 3 wickets and progress to the Super League stage of the tournament!#SLvPAK scorecard ?? https://t.co/a477IsCH1P pic.twitter.com/mex7aOl8Z4

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 19, 2018

Pakistan lost their third wicket in shape of Muhammad Zaid Alam and the team got in trouble. However, Mohammad Taha with Ali Zaryab Asif made a partnership of 61, before Taha lost his wicket after scoring 24 runs.

Saad Khan scored a run, while skipper Hasan Khan joined Asif to take Pakistan nearer to the target. After doing all the hard work, Asif got out when Pakistan were 152/6 after scoring 59 runs.

Muhammad Musa provided the finishing touch with his captain and gave Pakistan a close win by three wickets in 43.3 overs. Thisaru Rashmika picked up three wickets for Sri Lanka in his 10 overs.