Pakistan defeat Afghanistan by one wicket in U19 tri-series

Harare (Web Desk): Hamza Zahoor delivered a sensational performance on Saturday, steering the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team to a breathtaking one-wicket win over Afghanistan in a final-over thriller at the Harare Sports Club.

Chasing 227, Pakistan appeared on the brink of defeat at 201 for 9, but Hamza, the young wicketkeeper-batsman, produced a masterclass under pressure. He crafted a last-wicket stand of 29 runs with number eleven Niqab Shafiq, smashing the winning boundary with three balls to spare and completing a memorable chase.

With 26 runs required from 25 deliveries and only Shafiq for company, Hamza assumed full control. He carefully protected his partner, took charge of the strike, and went after key scoring opportunities.

 A towering six off pacer Abdul Aziz in the 46th over injected hope, setting up a tense final over where Pakistan needed five runs off Zaitullah Shaheen. Displaying nerves of steel, Hamza drove the first ball to the boundary to equalize and hammered the third delivery to the rope again, finishing unbeaten on 68 from 51 balls, including eight fours and a six, sending the Pakistani camp into ecstatic celebration.

Earlier, Afghanistan had posted a competitive 226 in their 50 overs after Pakistan chose to field first. Opener Osman Sadat contributed a solid 75, supported by captain Mahboob Khan’s 49. Pakistan’s bowlers fought back steadily, with leg-spinner Usman Khan excelling with figures of 4 for 37.

Pakistan’s innings had been a rollercoaster. After a shaky start of 42 for 3, captain Farhan Yousaf steadied the innings with a determined 65. However, a collapse triggered by Salam Khan, who claimed 4 for 44, saw four wickets fall for just 33 runs, setting the stage for Hamza’s remarkable rescue.

This dramatic win reinforces the strong championship pedigree of the Pakistan U-19 side, which recently celebrated an Asia Cup victory by defeating arch-rivals India in the final.