Dubai (Web Desk): Pakistan sealed a commanding victory over Bangladesh in the second Under-19 Asia Cup semi-final at Dubai’s The Sevens Stadium on Friday, booking a high-voltage final clash with arch-rivals India.
After winning the toss in a rain-curtailed contest reduced to 27 overs per side, Pakistan chose to field and quickly made inroads.
Fast bowler Abdul Subhan led the charge with a superb spell, claiming four wickets as Bangladesh were dismissed for 121 in 26.3 overs.
Bangladesh showed early promise through openers Rifat Beg and Zawad Akbar, who added 24 runs before both were dismissed in quick succession.
Skipper Azizul Hakim then attempted to steady the innings, scoring 20 from 26 balls, but his resistance ended in the 13th over when he became one of Subhan’s victims. The right-arm pacer struck twice more in the same phase, reducing Bangladesh to 65 for five.
The slide continued when Ahmed Hussain removed Sheikh Parvez Jibon for nine in the following over, leaving the defending champions struggling at 73 for six. All-rounder Samiun Basir later provided some late momentum, top-scoring with a fighting 33 off 37 balls that included a six and a boundary.
Subhan finished with impressive figures of four for 20 in six overs, while Huzaifa Ahsan picked up two wickets. Ali Raza, Mohammad Sayyam and Ahmed Hussain claimed one wicket each.
Chasing a modest target of 122, Pakistan completed the task comfortably, reaching the finish line with just two wickets down and more than 11 overs to spare. The pursuit began shakily, however, as opener Hamza Zahoor was dismissed for a duck in the first over with only one run on the board.
The early setback did little to dent Pakistan’s dominance, as Sameer Minhas and Usman Khan counterattacked with an 85-run stand for the second wicket off just 57 balls.
The partnership was broken in the 11th over when Samiun Basir trapped Usman leg-before; the right-hander scored 27 from 26 deliveries, hitting two fours and two sixes.
Sameer then joined forces with Ahmed Hussain, and the pair calmly guided Pakistan to victory with an unbroken 36-run partnership. Sameer anchored the chase with an unbeaten 69 off 57 balls, decorated with six fours and two sixes, while Ahmed Hussain chipped in with 11 not out from 14 deliveries.
With this convincing win, Pakistan advanced to Sunday’s final, where they will face India, who earlier secured their place in the title match after a dominant semi-final triumph over Sri Lanka.