EAST LONDON: Former champions Pakistan continued their impressive run at the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup with a perfect 10-wicket victory over New Zealand in their last group fixture on Saturday.
Pakistan finished as the leaders of Group D with six points in three matches, followed by New Zealand with four and Nepal with two in as many matches.
The two-time champions had already booked their place in the Super 6s stage after their convincing victory over Nepal.
New Zealand, opting to bat first, unfolded at a measly 140 despite Lachlan Stackpole’s 40 in the middle.
The Blackcaps had a disastrous start to their innings as they were four down with just 56 runs on the board in 14.5 overs.
Stackpole then partnered with Olivier Tewatiya for a 61-run stand and anchored New Zealand’s innings.
But Naveed Ahmed Khan removed both set batters in his successive overs to ignite another batting collapse.
Stackpole remained the top-scorer for New Zealand with a 37-ball 42, featuring seven boundaries and a six while Tewatiya scored a cautious 29 off 55 deliveries.
New Zealand could add 22 runs to their total after Stackpole and Tewatiya’s departure as Arafat Minhas swept their toothless tail.
Minhas and Ubaid Shah led the bowling attack for Pakistan with three wickets each, followed by Naveed’s two while Mohammad Zeeshan and Ali Asfand struck out a batter apiece.
In return, Pakistan comfortably chased down the modest 141-run target unharmed and 148 balls to spare.
Openers Shahzaib Khan and Shamyl Hussain dominated New Zealand bowlers amid their match-winning and unbeaten 144-run partnership.
Shahzaib remained the top scorer for Pakistan with 80 off 86 deliveries, hitting 10 boundaries and three sixes.
Shamyl was also impressive with his unbeaten 54. His 66-ball knock included six boundaries and two sixes.
It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan’s next U19 World Cup fixture will be finalized after the conclusion of the group-stage matches of the mega event.
