Dubai: Left-arm spinner Mohammad Huzaifa produced a sensational performance, taking five wickets as Pakistan secured a dominant 180-run victory over Japan in the 11th match of the 2024 U-19 Asian Cup.
Chasing a decent target of 244 runs, Japan’s batting line-up collapsed under the pressure of Huzaifa’s brilliance. The young spinner stormed past the Japanese order, leaving them bundled out for just 63 runs in just 21.3 overs.
His extraordinary performance included three maidens while giving away just eight runs in his spell of 6.3 over, showcasing his accuracy and control.
Japanese opener Nihar Parmar fought valiantly, top-scoring 25 runs off 60 deliveries. Apart from him, no other batsman has managed to reach double figures.
Pakistan’s bowlers were in excellent form, with Huzaifa receiving strong support from Mohammad Ahmed and Ahmed Hussain.
Both Ahmed and Hussain claimed two wickets each while Faham ul Haq scored with one wicket.
Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the first semi-final match of the tournament on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan posted 243 runs and lost six wickets in their first innings.
The Boys in Green faced early setbacks, with captain Saad Baig dismissed for just 3 runs, leaving the team struggling at 7/1 in the 2.5 overs.
The pressure mounted when Haroon Rasheed (9) and Farhan Yousuf (10) followed soon after, taking Pakistan to a precarious 57/3 in the 14th over.
However, opener Faham ul Haq steadied the ship with a valiant 34 runs in 49 balls, including two sixes and a boundary. His promising innings came to an end when Nihar Parmar dismissed him in the 20th over.
Tayyab Arif and Shahzaib Khan built a vital partnership but just as they were settling in, Arif was dismissed for 20 runs by Parmar in the over of 24.4, leaving Pakistan at 97/4.
The crucial moment of the innings came with the duo of Khan and Riazullah, who played an 82-run stand for the sixth wicket. Khan was dismissed for a solid 45 runs off 69 deliveries, falling to Timothy Moore.
Riazullah, who was in good form, found excellent support in Ahmed Hussain. The duo added 61 runs for the seventh wicket, with the right-hand batsman remaining unbeaten on 66 runs off 78 balls, which included four boundaries and a six.
Ahmed Hussain contributed 30 runs off 23 balls, helping Pakistan to a total of 243/6 at the end of the first innings.
Nihar Parmar led the bowling attack for Japan U19, topping the wicket chart with two scalps in his spell.
Supporting him well, Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake, Kai Wall, Charles Hinze and Timothy Moore each claimed a wicket, contributing to an all-round bowling performance.
