UAE cruise to under-19 Asia Cup final after beating Pakistan

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) under-19 team qualified for the U-19 Asia Cup by shocking heavyweights Pakistan by 11 runs in the semi-finals in ICCA, Dubai, setting up a title clash with Bangladesh under-19s who defeated India under-19s by four wickets.

Pakistan, whose senior team led by Shan Masood are struggling in Australia, had entered the semis by topping the pool table by defeating India, Afghanistan and Nepal in the league phase.

However, they came unstuck as the host won by nine runs despite putting up a below-par total of 193.

Put in to bat, UAE began well before being reduced to 89/5 in 23 overs. A 54-run sixth wicket partnership between skipper Aayan Afzal Khan (55 off 57 balls) and Ethan D’Souza (37 off 63 balls) took UAE to 193 all out in 47.5 overs.

Right-arm medium pacer Ubaid Shah took 4/44 to help Pakistan Colts restrict UAE.

Pakistan lost a couple of wickets early in response. However, an 83-run partnership between captain Saad Baig (50) and No. 3 Azan Awais (41) put them on course of victory.

However, five wickets in the space of 38 balls brought UAE back in a strong fashion. Three of the five wickets to fall in that phase were through run out mode.

The eighth-wicket partnership brought Pakistan closer to target; however, the rising required rate put the batsmen under pressure and they eventually perished.    

Aayan Afzal Khan was adjudged man of the match for his half-century and tight spell of 0/31 in 10 overs.

Cricket, UAE, Asia Cup, Dubai, Pakistan, ACC, India, Bangladesh