Pakistan U-19 skipper Qasim Akram produced a record-breaking performance against Sri Lanka U-19 in the ICC U-19 men’s World Cup 2022, on February 3, to help his side in securing a convincing 238-run victory, in the fifth-place playoff.
Skipper Akram became the first player in the history of U-19 World Cup to score a century and scalp five wickets in one particular match.
Terrific batting
Batting first, Pakistan registered a mammoth total of 365 runs losing 3 wickets in 50 overs. Opening batsmen- Muhammad Shehzad (73 runs off 69 balls) and wicketkeeper Haseebullah Khan (136 runs off 151 deliveries), gave a terrific start to their innings.
Sri Lanka’s spinner Raveen de Silva provided a crucial breakthrough in the 25th over to dismiss Shehzad and break a solid partnership of 134 runs.
Later, Haseebullah along with Akram notched up another brilliant partnership of 239 runs off 154 balls to take their side to a comfortable position.
Akram sccored 135 runs (not out) off just 80 balls as his innings was comprised of 13 boundaries and 6 sixes. The 19-year-old skipper hit the fastest century after securing his ton in just 63 balls.
In the final over of the innings, Sri Lanka did manage to pick up two wickets as their medium pacer Matheesha Pathirana dismissed Haseebullah and Irfan Khan (2 runs) but it was too late for them as eventually, Pakistan had reached a massive total of 365 runs.
Apart from a poor bowling display, lack of discipline was another key factor of Sri Lankan bowling as they conceded 19 runs as extras.
Sri Lanka batting
In reply, Pakistan had a remarkable start as skipper Akram dismissed Chamindu Wickramasinghe on the first ball of the innings.
Within 11 overs, Sri Lanka lost half of their batting lineup. Only three batsmen- Sadisha Rajapaksa (16 runs), skipper Dunith Wellalage (40 runs) and Vinuja Ranpaul (53 not out), managed to reach the double-digit mark.
For Pakistan, it was once again skipper Akram who was in the focus as he displayed an amazing bowling display after bagging five wickets, conceding just 37 runs in 10 overs.
Sri Lanka eventually managed to reach a total of 127 runs in 35 overs.
In the U-19 World Cup Final 2022, India will take on England, on February 5.
Another match
In another match of the tournament, South Africa U-19 defeated Bangladesh U-19 by 2 wickets. Batting first, Bangladesh registered a total of 293 runs losing 8 wickets.
In reply, South Africa reached the target with 7 balls remaining.
