Pakistan dumped out of U-19 Asia Cup following 60-run defeat to India
Captain Rohail Nazir's century goes in vain as his fellow top-order batsmen fail yet again.
Pakistan Under-19 team's disastrous Asian Cricket Council Under-19s Asia Cup campaign came to an end on Saturday as they lost to arch-rivals India by 60 runs at Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka despite captain Rohail Nazir's brilliant century.
India, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, amassed a total of 305-9 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks in large parts to the 183-run second-wicket partnership between Arjun Azad and Tilak Varma.
Both the Indian batters pounded the Pakistani bowlers, with Azad smashing a 111-ball 121 and Varma contributing 110 runs off 119 deliveries.
Medium-pacer Naseem Shah, 16. was the pick of the Pakistani bowers, taking three wickets for 52 runs in his 10.
In reply, Pakistan's top-order flopped again as they were dealt two early blows. Noth their openers — Haider Ali and Abdul Bangalzai — were caught behind by Indian captain and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel off the bowling of Vidyadhar Patil.
Fahad Munir, who like others had failed against Afghanistan in the opener, failed again, contributing just a single run off 16 balls he faced, as Pakistan faced the possibility of another meltdown at 53-3.
However, skipper Nazir and Haris Khan stabilised the ship and formed a much-needed 120-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
When Haris (43) was dismissed in the 31st over, the game was still a long way from being in Pakistan's control but at least the threat of a lopsided loss had been averted.
Nazir did not find any significant help from other batsmen as he too evaporated in the 41st over, having scored 117 runs off 108 balls in a knock that featured 12 fours and three maximums.
In the end, the team folded for 245 runs in the 47th over, copping their second loss in as many games in the tournament.
Azad was named the player of the match for his swashbuckling knock.
Pakistan now languish at the bottom of the four-team Group A, with no points to their name.
Since India and Afghanistan have both won two matches each, Pakistan cannot qualify for the semi-finals. It means that their Monday's match against Kuwait is practically a dead-rubber.
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