Defending Champions Pakistan U19 steamroll Nepal to book Asia Cup semifinal clash with Bangladesh
Defending Champions Pakistan U19 steamroll Nepal to book Asia Cup semifinal clash with Bangladesh
By Nawaz Gohar ; Defending champions Pakistan U19 put on a dominant, masterclass performance at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground on Tuesday, crushing Nepal U19 by 101 runs to complete a sweep of Group 'A' and charge into the semi-finals of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026.
Maintaining an unblemished record with three consecutive victories, the green-shirts finished at the summit of their group. They now march into the first semi-final scheduled for Thursday, November 12, where they are set to lock horns with Bangladesh U19 in a high-stakes clash.
Sent in to bat first on a tricky surface, Pakistan encountered early turbulence, slipping to 64 for three. However, brilliant middle-order rebuilding turned the tide completely. All-rounder Ahmed Hussain and skipper Farhan Yousaf combined for a match-defining 135-run fourth-wicket partnership, shifting the momentum back in Pakistan's favor.
Left-handed batter Ahmed was in explosive touch, anchoring the innings with a blistering 89 off just 73 deliveries, laced with seven boundaries and two massive hit over the ropes. Captain Farhan provided exemplary support from the other end, scoring a composed 74 off 95 balls featuring six fours and three sixes. Hasnain Abbas Dar added the final flourish with a brisk 25 off 23 balls to push Pakistan to a formidable total of 275 for seven in their allotted 50 overs. For Nepal, spinner Bipin Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3 for 58.
Chasing a daunting target of 198 to threaten the champions, Nepal's batting line-up crumbled under relentless pressure from the Pakistani bowling attack.
Ahmed Hussain capped off a memorable day by turning lethal with the ball as well. The match-winner registered remarkable figures of 4 for 35 in his 10-over quota, breaking the backbone of Nepal's middle order.
He was ably supported by pace duo Mohammad Huzaifa and Mohammad Sayyam, who claimed two wickets each to bundle Nepal out for 174 in 43.4 overs. Rohit Chand top-scored for Nepal with 37 runs, but his efforts proved insufficient to bridge the gap.
For his sensational all-round performance—scoring a match-winning 89 and taking four key wickets—Ahmed Hussain was deservedly named Player of the Match.
Scores in Brief
Result: Pakistan U19 beat Nepal U19 by 101 runs
Pakistan U19: 275-7 in 50 overs (Ahmed Hussain 89, Farhan Yousaf 74; Bipin Sharma 3-58)
Nepal U19: 174 all out in 43.4 overs (Rohit Chand 37, Niraj Kumar Yadav 29; Ahmed Hussain 4-35, Mohammad Sayyam 2-27)
Player of the Match: Ahmed Hussain (Pakistan U19)
