All-round Ahmad extends Pakistan’s unbeaten run

Ahamed Hassan’s all-round performance extended Pakistan’s unbeaten run in the Under-19 World Cup as they beat Ireland by three wickets at the JB Marks Oval.

After Pakistan elected to bowl, Ahmad chipped in with 2 for 37 from his eight overs to help bundle out Ireland for a mere 181. But it wasn’t a smooth chase, and Pakistan lost half their side with just 96 runs on the board. Ahmad, though, stayed firm and took his side over the line with an unbeaten 57.

Earlier, Ubaid Shah, Naseem Shah’s younger brother, started the damage with his searing pace, leaving Ireland at 7 for 1 in the sixth over. Ahmad, Amir Hassan and Ali Raza made regular strikes after that to make it 39 for 5 in the 19th over. It soon became 63 for 6 before John McNally and Harry Dyer added 65 off 82 balls for the seventh innings. McNally brought up his half-century but despite the resistance from the lower order, Ireland were all out in the 49th over.

Pakistan didn’t have a great start either and lost their openers inside the first six overs. Dyer, who had earlier scored an important 31, took care of the middle order, picking up 4 for 31 with his offspin.

But Ahmad was unperturbed. Along with Haroon Arshad, he revived the chase by adding 63 off 75 for the sixth wicket. By the time Ireland got rid of Arshad, Pakistan were just 23 away from the target. They lost another wicket after three runs, but Ahmad was a calming presence in the middle. He reached his half-century in 68 balls and then scored the winning run with 6.2 overs to spare.

Brief scores:
Pakistan Under 19s  182 for 7 in 43.4 overs (Azan Awais 21, Saad Baig 25, Ahmad Hassan  57*, Haroon Arshad 25; Harry Dyer 4-35) beat Ireland Under 19s  181 in 48.4 overs (John McNally 53, Harry Dyer 31; Amir Hassan 2-31, Ubaid Shah 3-31, Ali Raza 2-18, Ahmad Hassan 2-37) by three wickets

(Cricinfo)