Pakistan suffered a major setback ahead of a thrilling Under-19 clash with India at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, a match that will decide Zimbabwe’s fourth U-19 World Cup semi-finalist. Afghanistan and England joined Australia as the latest semi-finalists on Friday after impressive performances in their Super Six matches, with unbeaten England becoming the first team from Group 2 to reach the final four. Sunday’s encounter between India and Pakistan now looks like a virtual knockout.Pakistan’s preparations have been dented after wicketkeeper Mohammad Shayan was ruled out with an injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed.
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“Pakistan Under-19 batsman Mohammad Shayan has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup after being hit on the nose by a ball while holding a fast bowler during a scripted practice match,” the PCB said in a statement. He was taken to hospital where an X-ray confirmed the fracture, with a replacement set to be appointed in due course.Australia have already advanced to the last four from Group 1, while Afghanistan grabbed the remaining spot after a 191-run win over Ireland. England sealed qualification from Group 2 after beating New Zealand by 65 runs, courtesy of five wickets from Manny Lumsden. India are currently ahead of their clash with Pakistan with six points from three matches with a better net pace while Pakistan have four points.In Harare, Afghanistan rode Faisal Khan’s scintillating 163 to post 315/7 after opting to bat first. Faisal hit 18 fours and a six in a 142-ball knock, the highest individual score by an Afghan batsman in the history of the tournament. Afghanistan were in early trouble at 27/2 before a 75-run third-wicket partnership between Faisal and Uzairullah Niazai steadied the innings. The match swung decisively in Afghanistan’s favor during a 188-run stand between Faisal and captain Mahboob Khan, who scored 89 off 79 balls with five fours and two sixes.Ireland’s Reuben Wilson and Olly Riley took three wickets each but Ireland’s chase never got going. Ireland were bowled out for 124 with Marko Bates (34) and Wilson (31) adding 55 for the sixth wicket in a brief show of resistance. Abdul Aziz led the Afghan bowling with 3/21 while bowler Aqil Khan finished with three wickets for 36 runs.Earlier in Bulawayo, New Zealand, already out of semi-final contention, restricted England to 234/7 on a tricky surface. Ben Dawkins played a cautious 42, while Ben Mayes (53) and Caleb Faloner (47) chipped in with crucial contributions. Mason Clarke was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with 2/38. However, Lumsden turned the game on its head with figures of 5/17 as New Zealand were bowled out for 169 in 38.5 overs despite Senith Reddy’s 47 and Callum Samson’s 58.
