KEY POINTS
- Abdul Subhan’s 4/11 spearheaded New Zealand’s collapse to 111 all out.
- Sameer Minhas’ unbeaten 76 guided Pakistan to target in 17.1 overs.
- Win gives Pakistan strong launch in tournament’s decisive phase.
HARARE, Zimbabwe: Pakistan’s U19s kicked off their Super Sixes campaign with an emphatic eight-wicket demolition of New Zealand at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
Choosing to bat first, New Zealand’s innings never gained momentum.
After pacer Ali Raza removed opener Marco William Alpe early, a promising 48-run partnership between Hugo Bogue (39 off 27) and skipper Tom Jones (15 off 16) was swiftly undone.
The middle order crumbled spectacularly against a disciplined Pakistani attack, slumping from 59-2 to 67-6.
Spinner Abdul Subhan was the chief destroyer, weaving a web to finish with remarkable figures of 4 for 11 in 6.3 overs.
Ali Raza provided potent support with 3 wickets as the Blackcaps were bundled out for a paltry 111 in 28.3 overs.
Minhas leads flawless chase
Pakistan’s response was assertive and swift. Openers Hamza Zahoor and Sameer Minhas launched the chase with aggressive intent.
After Zahoor’s early departure, Minhas took center stage, batting with maturity and flair.
He forged a solid 67-run partnership with Usman Khan (15) and later combined with captain Farhan Yousaf (11*) to seal the victory.
Minhas remained unbeaten on a brilliant 76 off just 59 balls, an innings laced with 10 fours and 2 sixes, guiding his team to the target of 112 in only 17.1 overs.
Standout performers
Abdul Subhan’s four-wicket haul earned him the Player of the Match award, though Sameer Minhas’s match-winning knock ran it close.
The comprehensive victory provides Pakistan with a strong start and a significant net run-rate boost in the Super Six group.
For New Zealand, the heavy defeat puts their campaign on the back foot, demanding a swift turnaround in their remaining fixtures.
Pakistan will look to carry this momentum forward as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
