Pakistan’s young guns once again proved their fighting spirit, pulling off a thrilling one-wicket victory against Afghanistan in a heart-stopping clash at the Harare Sports Club during the Zimbabwe-hosted U19 tri-series on Saturday.
In a contest that swung dramatically from one side to the other, Pakistan showed nerves of steel, resilience, and champion mentality to chase down a tricky target in the final over.
The win was built on a fiery bowling spell from Usman Khan and match-defining knocks by captain Farhan Yousaf and wicketkeeper-batter Hamza Zahoor.
After being asked to bat first, Afghanistan looked determined to post a competitive total. Opener Osman Sadat stood tall amid the pressure, crafting a composed 75 off 106 deliveries, striking four boundaries and a towering six.
Captain Mahboob Khan added vital runs with a well-paced 49, while Faisal Shinozada chipped in with 31 to push Afghanistan to 226 before being bowled out in 50 overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers kept the contest alive with disciplined spells. Usman Khan led from the front, ripping through the Afghan batting lineup with figures of 4 for 37 in his 10 overs.
He was well supported by Mohammad Sayyam and Daniyal Ali Khan, who claimed two wickets each, while Ahmed Hussain added another breakthrough.
Pakistan’s innings got off to a disastrous start as early wickets left the Asian champions reeling. Sameer Minhas was dismissed for a duck, and by the 13th over Pakistan had slumped to 42 for three, handing momentum firmly to Afghanistan.
Just when the pressure was mounting, skipper Farhan Yousaf stepped up with the maturity of a seasoned leader. Partnering Ahmed Hussain, he stitched together a crucial 89-run stand for the fourth wicket, calming nerves and reviving Pakistan’s hopes. Farhan played a captain’s knock of 65 from 78 balls, while Ahmed contributed a steady 31 off 56 deliveries.
Following Farhan’s dismissal in the 31st over, Pakistan lost two quick wickets and slipped to 149 for six, once again staring down the barrel with the target still some distance away.
With the match hanging in the balance, the wicketkeeper-batter delivered a performance to remember. Displaying immense courage and flawless shot selection, Hamza took charge of the chase, rotating the strike expertly and punishing loose deliveries. Despite wickets falling at the other end, he held his nerve and powered Pakistan to victory with an unbeaten 68 off just 51 balls, smashing eight fours and a six in a breathtaking display.
Pakistan crossed the line with just three balls remaining, sealing a victory that showcased grit, belief, and the fearless spirit of this young side.
For Afghanistan, Salam Khan fought valiantly with the ball, finishing with 4 for 44, while Zaitullah Shaheen grabbed two wickets. Nooristani Omarzai, Wahidullah Zadran, and Uzairullah Niazai claimed one each.
With this dramatic win, Pakistan have announced their arrival in the U19 tri-series in emphatic fashion and will now face hosts Zimbabwe in their next fixture at the same venue on Monday.
