Hasan Mohsin stars as Pakistan U-19 finish on top of Group B

A magnificent performance with both bat and ball from Hasan Mohsin saw Pakistan finish on top of Group B. Facing Asian rivals in the final group game of the tournament, Pakistan picked up a thrilling 23 run win.

Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss and chose to field on what looked like a turning track at Mirpur. Pakistan got off to a decent start in spite of losing Zeeshan Malik early on in the innings for 11. Mohammed Umar and Saif Badar made useful contributions at the beginning of the innings scoring 26 and 24 respectively. Spin began to play a significant part on proceedings as Damitha Silva picked up the wickets of Badar and Umar. The Pakistan innings revolved around all-rounder Hasan Mohsin. In spite of losing wicketkeeper-batsman Umair Masood to an unfortunate run-out, Mohsin stitched a fine 61 run partnership with Salman Fayyaz. While the partnership steadied the ship to an extent, the scoring rate significantly dropped, handing an unlikely advantage to the Sri Lankans. Following the dismissal of Fayyaz for 33, Mohsin batted with the tail to add crucial runs towards the end of the innings. Before being bowled by Sri Lanka skipper Asalanka, Mohsin had taken his side to a safe total of 211 courtesy of his run-a-ball 86. His compilation of 86 runs included 8 boundaries and a six. The Pakistanis were eventually bowled out for 212.

Chasing 213 became a daunting task when Pakistan’s hero with the bat Hasan Mohsin dismissed Avishka Fernando early on in the innings. Wickets began to fall at regular intervals as the frailty of the Sri Lankan batting was exposed. The fall of Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka proved to be the catalyst as it brought about a spring in the step of the Pakistani bowling. Kamindu Mendis succeeded in holding the innings together as he was well supported by wicketkeeper-batsman Vishad Randika scoring a brisk 46. However, the match was eventually done and dusted when Randika and Mendis fell cheaply in close intervals. Damitha Silva’s knock of 21 threatened to take the match away from the Pakistanis with a thrilling conclusion to the match in the offing. However, Shadab Khan and Sameer Gul wrapped up the innings as the Sri Lankans were eventually dismissed for 189, 23 runs short of their target.

Hasan Mohsin was awarded the man of the match award courtesy. Mohsin made 86 with the bat and picked up 2 wickets from the 5 overs he bowled.

Brief Scores

Pakistan 212 all out in 48.4 overs (Hasan Mohsin 86, Wanidu Hasaranga 2/30)

Sri Lanka 189 all out in 46.4 overs (Kamindu Mendis 68, Shadab Khan 3/31)

Player of the Match: Hasan Mohsin (Pakistan U-19)