KARACHI: Arafat Minhas played a magnificent 95-run knock to power Pakistan U19 to beat Sri Lanka U19 by 59 runs in the second One-day of the five-match series here on Tuesday.

The series scoreline now reads 1-1 with three more games to go.

Sri Lankan openers Pulindu Perera and Sineth Jayawardene had kicked their chase of the 255-run target off to an encouraging start. Perera scored 36 off 28 balls before conceding his wicket to Ubaid Shah and Jayawardane making 21 off 31 deliveries before ending his run at the hands of Mohammad Ibtisam. Vishen Halambage made 13 off 23 and was bowled by Aftab Ahmed while right-handed batter Ravishan de Silva made 32 (36) before losing his wicket to leg-spinner Ahmed Hussain, who also claimed the scalp of Dinura Kalupahana (19, 43b, 1×4). Sri Lanka U19 middle order began to collapse after the fall of Kalapahana’s wicket with Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Malsha Tharupathi and Vishal Lahiru being sent to the pavilion at less than 15 runs each.

Ravishan Perera and Garuka Sanketh both conceded their wickets to right-arm pacer Ubaid Shah while Vihas Thewmika managed to score 32 not out off 43 balls.

Earlier, Pakistan had set the bar racking up 254 all out in 46.5 overs. All-rounder Arafat Minhas contributed a hefty 95 off 66 deliveries including nine boundaries and three maximums, falling just five short of a century. Opener Shamyl Hussain had managed to clinch 53 off 84 balls while Mohammad Tayyab Arif lost his wicket to Garuka Sanketh after making only four off 11 deliveries.

Pakistan U19 captain Saad Baig scored 19 off 25 deliveries while Mohammad Ammar (5, 19b) lost his wicket to Jayawardene. Riazullah Khan made 28 off 39 balls before losing his wicket to Ruvishan Perera. Ahmed Hussain made 13 off 25 while Naveed Ahmed Khan made 15 not out off 10 balls.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 25 2023

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