Waseem Khan steered Pakistan Under-19 team to a nine wickets victory against host China Under-19 in the first match by taking five wickets in the opening match of the Tri-Nation Under-19 Friendly Cricket Series being played at Ji'nan, No. 3 Middle School artificial ground Shandong Province, China, says a message received here on Saturday.
First Secretary of the Asian Department of the Foreign Ministry of the People Republic of China Zhang Zhizhong was the chief guest who formally inaugurated the Tri-Nation Pakistan, Afghanistan and host China Friendly Cricket Under-19 Series in a colourful opening ceremony, followed by the national anthems of Pakistan, Afghanistan and host China.
Speaking on this occasion, First Secretary of the Asian Department of the Foreign Ministry of the People Republic of China Zhang Zhizhong thanked both the government of Pakistan and Afghanistan for sending their teams to China to promote cricketing ties between Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.
Waseen Khan went through the whole batting line up of China, taking five wickets for just nine runs in his three over spell of the 20 overs match against China and could not give much time to Chinese batsmen to settle down.
China after winning the toss decided to bat first set a meagre total of 40 runs after just playing 12 overs. The Chinese batsmen could not stand in front of excellent bowling of Pakistan bowlers.
Waseem, who was also Man of the Match in Asia Cup against Kuwait by taking three wickets for 19 runs hammered 55 runs off just 20 balls, made his 50 on 19 balls, grabbed five wickets for nine runs, spin master Amir took two wickets for 15 runs in his four overs spell, Zaman Khan got two wickets for no runs in his 1.1 overs. Zaman Khan took two consecutive wickets in his first over.
In reply, Pakistan chased the target for the loss of one wicket in 4.4 overs. For China Qi Wang got one wicket for 2 runs in his 2.4 overs spell.
In the other match Afghanistan defeated China team by 10 wickets. Naveed shined with the bowl, taking four wickets for just 10 runs. China batting first posted 63 runs in 19.2 overs.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019