Pakistan have defeated Ireland by three wickets to register a win in their first Super Six match of the ongoing U19 World Cup in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
The Boys in Green rattled the Irish batting lineup for 180 after opting to bowl first. Meanwhile, the chase became a thriller as Ireland's bowlers were spot on but fell short of bowling Pakistan out completely. Saad Baig and Co. chased down the target in 43.4 overs
Earlier, the disciplined efforts from Pakistan bowlers resulted in Ireland advancing at a run rate of one for the initial five overs. This pressure led to a breakthrough as Ubaid Shah dismissed Jordan Neill, caught off his bowling. Neill attempted a pull shot, but the ball arrived sooner than expected, resulting in a top edge straight to Ubaid.
During the first half of the second powerplay, Ireland's innings lost stability, with five wickets falling for a mere 50 runs. All the batters were dismissed while trying to wrest control from Pakistan.
Ali Raza, Ahmad Hassan, and Amir Hassan each claimed a wicket, while Ubaid secured his second breakthrough in the 24th over.
Ireland managed to establish their first substantial partnership of the game when John McNally and Harry Dyer joined forces for the seventh wicket. By the time Dyer fell to Haroon Arshad in the 37th over, the pair had accumulated 65 runs, surpassing the combined efforts of the first six wickets. Despite this, Ireland was still far from a competitive total and required a late surge.
Despite John McNally's resilient 53, Ireland struggled to accelerate during the final Powerplay and was bowled out by the 49th over. Ubaid once again emerged as Pakistan's standout performer with figures of 3/31.
In reply, Pakistan openers made a typically positive start, scoring at a rate of about five runs per over, before Reuben Wilson made a breakthrough. The fast bowler claimed the significant wicket of Shahzaib Khan,
Pakistan's top run-scorer in the tournament, as the batter attempted to cut the ball but ended up edging it to slip. Ollie Riley dismissed the other opener in the following over, with Shamyl Hossain mistiming a pull shot and sending the ball straight back to the wicketkeeper.
Azan Awais (21) and Saad Baig (25) then undertook the task of rebuilding the innings. The pair advanced the chase cautiously, avoiding unnecessary risks and managing to hit only five boundaries between them during their time at the crease. Awais's vigilance was disrupted when he missed a delivery from Dryer and was adjudged leg before wicket.
Dryer struck again, claiming the wicket of Saad Baig and leaving Pakistan at four down for 78. Ubaid Shah was promoted up the batting order to join Ahmad Hassan, but the experiment proved unsuccessful as Ubaid fell for eight. Ahmad Hassan and Haroon Arshad (25) mounted a solid partnership for the sixth wicket, adding 63 runs from 75 balls and bringing Pakistan to the brink of victory.
Ahmad Hassan eventually took Pakistan to the end of the finishing line by chasing the target in the 44th over. He remained unbeaten on 57 off 72 balls.
The Boys in Green will next play Bangladesh on February 3 in their second and last Super Six match.
