Pakistan set a competitive target of 243 runs for six wickets in their first innings against Japan in the ongoing U19 Asia Cup in Dubai.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan U19 faced early setbacks. Skipper Saad Baig was dismissed for just 3 runs, leaving the team struggling at 7/1 in the 2.5 overs.
The pressure mounted as Haroon Rasheed (9) and Farhan Yousuf (10) followed soon after, bringing Pakistan to a precarious 57/3 in the 14th over.
However, opener Faham ul Haq steadied the ship with a valiant 34 runs off 49 balls, including two sixes and a boundary. His promising innings came to an end when Nihar Parmar dismissed him in the 20th over.
Tayyab Arif and Shahzaib Khan built a vital partnership, but just as they were getting settled, Arif was dismissed for 20 runs by Parmar in the 24.4 over, leaving Pakistan at 97/4.
The crucial moment of the innings came with the pairing of Khan and Riazullah, who put on an 82-run stand for the sixth wicket. Khan was dismissed for a solid 45 runs off 69 deliveries, falling to Timothy Moore.
Riazullah, who had been in fine form, found excellent support in Ahmed Hussain. The duo added 61 runs for the seventh wicket, with the right-hand batter remaining unbeaten on 66 runs from 78 balls, which included four boundaries and a six.
Ahmed Hussain contributed 30 runs off 23 balls, helping Pakistan to a total of 243/6 by the close of the first innings. Japan U19’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Nihar Parmar, who led the charts with two wickets. He was well-supported by Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake, Kai Wall, Charles Hinze, and Timothy Moore, each taking one wicket to deliver a balanced team effort.
