MANKAD: Afghanistan U-19 bowler's only way to get a well-settled Pakistan batsman out

Afghanistan's U-19 spinner Noor Ahmed pulled off a mankad act to get rid of Pakistan's opener Mohammad Huraira in their quarterfinal clash at the U-19 World cup on Friday. Batting first, Afghanistan managed to put 189 runs on the board in 49.1 overs, in reply to which Pakistan managed to chased down the target with nine overs to spare. Pakistan will now go on to face defending champions India on Tuesday in an attempt to proceed to the finals of the showpiece tournament. Afghanistan skipper Farhan Zakhil top-scored for the side with the bat, putting 40 runs on the board while other batsmen collapsed under the might of the Pakistan bowling line-up. 

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Noor Ahmed pulls off a Mankad

It was in the 27th over when a well-settled Mohammad Huraira was on the non-strikers' end, at 64 runs, was run-out by bowler Noor Ahmed before the second delivery of the over was bowled. Huraira had stepped outside the crease before Noor could bowl and as a result, the Afghan spinner took advantage of the situation and Mankaded the batsman, leaving him flabbergasted. Although the bowler had overstepped on the popping crease, the Mankad act ensured the well-set opener would be sent back, as Afghanistan celebrated the fall of a wicket in the most unprecedented manner. 

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Pakistan beat Afghanistan

A half-century from opener Muhammad Huraira on debut and a fine bowling performance powered Pakistan to a six-wicket win over Afghanistan in the ICC U-19 World Cup here on Friday, setting up an exciting semifinal against arch-rivals India.  Afghanistan fought hard after posting 189 but just did not have enough runs on the board. Huraira, playing his first game of the tournament, struck a match-winning knock in the fourth quarterfinal. Qasim Akram (25 not out off 41 balls)and Mohammad Haris (29 not out off 43) saw the team through in just 41.1 overs. 

Tahir Hussain (1/28 in 10 overs), Fahad Munir (2/29 in 7) and Mohammad Amir Khan (3/58 in 10) were the pick of the Pakistan bowlers.   Defending champions India and Pakistan play their semifinal in Potchefstroom on February 4. India had beaten Australia in their quarterfinal match. Talking about the team's performance, Pakistan captain Rohail Nazir said: "We dropped 2-3 early catches and had we held on, we could have restricted them to a lesser total. The spinners bowled really well in the middle overs and bowled them out for 190. The wicket was turning a bit and our plan was to rotate strike. The opening partnership was good and we played sensibly in the middle overs."

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On the India game, he added: "It is another game. India is a good side and we need to play good cricket. The crowd really motivated us, appreciated us and I hope they turn up for the semifinal and cheer for us." Afghanistan captain Farhan Zakhil said 189 was defendable. "The wicket was good and our batsmen did not take responsibility. They bowled well and created the chances. 190 was a par score for our bowlers. We expected our fast bowlers to provide early wickets and they were not able to do that," said Zakhil.

(With PTI inputs)

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