Pakistan’s journey ended in U19 Men’s World Cup 2022 as Australia beat the national side with a margin of 119-run in a quarter-final match on Friday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua.
Pakistan won the toss and decided to field first but the decision turned out to be a bad one as the Australian side set a huge target of 277 to reach the semi-final.
For Pakistan, Captain Qasim Akram took three wickets for 40 runs. Awais Ali took two while Mehran Mumtaz and Zeeshan Zameer took a wicket apiece.
In reply, Pakistan lost openers Muhammad Shehzad and Haseebullah in 4.1 overs. Abdul Faseeh and Irfan Khan added 50 runs for the third-wicket which turned out to be Pakistan’s best partnership in the match. Faseeh fell for 28 while shortly after Irfan was dismissed for 27.
Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals before being bowled out for 157 in 35.1 overs. Mehran top-scored with 29 off 19 balls.
For Australia, William Salzmann took three while Tom Whitney and Jack Sinfield took two wickets each.
Pakistan, meanwhile is the third most successful side after India and Australia in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, which was launched in 1988 before becoming a biennial event in 1998.
The boys in green have won titles in 2004 and 2006, finished runners-up thrice in 1988, 2010 and 2014, and achieved third positions in 2000, 2008, 2018 and 2020.
Qasim Akram and Zeeshan Zameer will join their teams Karachi Kings and Islamabad United respectively in the ongoing seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) after coming back. The players will have to get negative Covid-19 results and complete mandatory quarantine to play in the tournament.
