Pakistan faces a setback ahead of their Under-19 match against India at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. This match will determine the fourth semi-finalist of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe. Afghanistan and England have already secured spots in the semi-finals after strong performances in their Super Six matches. England finished unbeaten and became the first team from Group 2 to reach the final four. Sunday’s India-Pakistan clash is set to be crucial.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that preparations for Pakistan have been paused as wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Shayan has been sidelined due to an injury.
The PCB stated:
“Pakistan U19 wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Shayan has been ruled out of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup after being struck on the nose by a ball while wicketkeeping during a practice match.”
He was taken to the hospital, where X-rays confirmed a fracture. A replacement for him has not yet been decided.
Australia has already secured its spot in the semi-finals from Group 1, while Afghanistan clinched the last spot with a remarkable 191-run victory over Ireland.
Other teams that qualified
England qualified from Group 2 after defeating New Zealand by 65 runs, with Manny Lumsden taking five wickets. Currently, India leads the group with six points from three matches and a better net run rate, while Pakistan has four points.
In Harare, Afghanistan excelled with a score of 315/7 after choosing to bat first, led by Faisal Khan’s 163 runs. He hit 18 fours and one six in his 142-ball inning, marking the highest individual score by an Afghan batter in the tournament’s history. Afghanistan struggled initially at 27/2 but recovered with a 75-run partnership between Faisal Khan and Uzairullah Niazai. The game shifted in Afghanistan’s favor with a 188-run partnership between Faisal and captain Mahboob Khan, who scored 89 runs off 79 balls with five fours and two sixes.
Reuben Wilson and Olly Riley from Ireland took three wickets each, but the chase faltered. Ireland ended up losing by 124 runs, with Marko Bates (34) and Wilson (31) contributing 55 runs for the sixth wicket. Afghanistan’s bowling was led by Abdul Aziz with figures of 3/21, while Aqil Khan claimed three more wickets for 36 runs.
Earlier in Bulawayo, New Zealand, which is out of the semi-finals, defeated England by scoring 234/7. Ben Dawkins made 42, Ben Mayes scored 53, and Caleb Faloner added 47. Mason Clarke took 2/38, while Lumsden shone with 5/17 as New Zealand was bowled out for 169 runs in 38.5 overs, despite Senith Reddy’s 47 runs and Callum Samson’s 58-run partnership.