ICC U-19 WC: Pakistan U-19 overwhelmed Sri Lanka to reach semi final

DUBAI: Pakistan Under-19 crushed Sri Lanka U-19 in a one-sided competition by 121 runs on Saturday booking their berth for the semi-final of ICC Under-19 World Cup, ARY News reported.

Opening pair of Pakistan played extremely well providing stand of 171 runs as Sri Lankan bowlers seemed helpless in front of the two batsmen.                               

Skipper Sami Aslam remained 5-run short of his century while Imam-ul-Haq got run out at 82 runs.

Aslam took 121 balls to score 95 runs hitting eight 4s and two 6s.     

Following the back to back dismissal of the two opening batsmen, Kamran Ghulam played a handy knock of 52 runs helping Pakistan to set the target of 280 runs.       

Later with the combined bowling effort Pakistan restricted opponents at the score of 158 runs.    

Sri Lankan batsmen fumbled from the very beginning of chase, Zia-ul-Haq bowled Hashan Dumindu out at the first ball of second inning. At stage Sri Lanka were 44-3.     

Half centuries from Saddera Samarawickrama(51) and Priyamal Perera(68) helped Sri Lanka to score past 150.                                

Zia-ul-Haq, Karamat Ali, Zafar Gohar and Kamran Ghulam took two wickets each.