SB News
ISLAMABAD:-Opener Haider Ali and left-arm spinner Aamir Ali starred in Pakistan’s nine-wicket win over Nigeria U19 in their first warm-up match at the Mandela Oval, Hammanskraal.
Aamir took three wickets and c0nceded just 12 runs in six overs as Nigeria were bundled out for 109 in 36.2 overs, after which Haider, who is also the vice-captain of the Pakistan U19 side, smashed 70 off 38 balls, hitting eight fours and four sixes, before he retired out.
Aamir Ali said: “I have the experience of bowling on South African wickets. I enjoyed bowling in the match and I am confident that we can make the most of the practice matches and get acclimatised here.
“During our camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, the coaches worked with us and taught us various bowling grips which helped spinners. “The team has prepared hard and I am hopeful we will do well in the tournament.”
Haider followed the good work by Pakistan bowlers with a blistering 70 off 38 balls before he was retired out. He hit eight fours and four sixes. “I toured South Africa with the U19 team last year and have a fair idea about the pitches here. I tried to play my natural game and we were confident of doing well after restricting Nigeria to 109.
“I played my shots and got the rewards. I will continue to bat the same way and play aggressively as that is my natural style of play. I am confident that I will produce the results by playing my own game.”
The two-time champions now play Sri Lanka in the second warm-up match at Irene Country Club, Pretoria, on Tuesday. Pakistan who are placed in Group C, play Scotland in their opening ICC U19 Cricket World Cup match on Sunday, 19 January. Their second match is against Bangladesh on Wednesday, 22 January followed by the third and final group match against Bangladesh on Friday, 24 January. All three games will be played in Potchefstroom.
Pakistan ICC U19 Cricket World Cup squad:
Rohail Nazir (captain and wicketkeeper), Abbas Afridi (Peshawar), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Quetta), Amir Ali (Larkana), Amir Khan (Peshawar), Arish Ali Khan (Karachi), Fahad Munir (Lahore), Haider Ali (vice-captain), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Mohammad Haris (Peshawar), Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot), Mohammad Irfan Khan (Lahore), Mohammad Shehzad (Multan), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (North Waziristan), Tahir Hussain (Multan)
