Pakistan crush Bangladesh to set up India’s final

Pakistan Under-19 produced a clinical all-round display to see off Bangladesh by eight wickets and set up a blockbuster final against arch-rivals India in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup on Sunday.

Chasing a modest target, Pakistan made light work of the pursuit, reaching the winning runs with just two wickets down and 69 balls to spare. The emphatic win underlined Pakistan U19’s dominance in the tournament and set up a much-anticipated Pakistan vs India U19 Asia Cup final.

The chase, however, began with an early hiccup. Opener Hamza Zahoor was dismissed for a duck in the first over with just one run on the board. Any thoughts of pressure were quickly erased as Sameer Minhas and Usman Khan countered with confidence and clarity. The pair added a quick 85 runs for the second wicket in just 57 deliveries, completely shifting the momentum in Pakistan’s favour.

Usman’s stay ended in the 11th over when Samiun Basir trapped him with little time for a well-made 27 off 26 balls, an innings that included two fours and two sixes. By then, the damage was done. Sameer continued to control the chase and was joined by Ahmed Hussain, with the duo calmly steering Pakistan home through an unbeaten 36-run stand.

Sameer finished as the standout with a confident 69 not out from 57 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes, while Ahmed chipped in with 11* off 14 deliveries.

Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers laid the foundations for a dominant win by dismissing Bangladesh for 121 in 26.3 overs in the rain-limited second semi-final at The Sevens Stadium. The match was reduced to 27 overs per team due to rain, but Pakistan adjusted much better to the conditions.

Bangladesh openers Zawad Abrar and Rifat Beg got off to a steady start, adding 24 runs in 4.4 overs, before both were dismissed in quick succession. Skipper Azizul Hakim and Kalam Siddiki briefly rebuilt with a 31-run partnership that eclipsed the 50-run total, but the resistance was short-lived.

Right-arm pacer Abdul Subhan turned the game decisively in Pakistan’s favor with a double strike in the 12th over, sparking a collapse from which Bangladesh never recovered. The Tigers slipped from 55 for 3 to 73 for 6 with Azizul scoring 20 off 26 balls.

Samiun Basir put up some late resistance with a fighting 33 off 37 balls, including a six and a four, but Bangladesh were bowled out before completing their allotted overs.

Abdul Subhan starred with the ball, finishing with fours, while Huzaifa Ahsan provided excellent support with two wickets. Pakistan now head into the final of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup full of confidence as they prepare to face India in a high-stakes encounter.