WELLINGTON: Pakistan qualified for the semi-final of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup after a tense three-wicket win over South Africa at the Hagley Oval venue in Christchurch.
The Proteas were restricted to 189/9 with Muhammad Musa taking 3/29, with only Wandile Makwetu scoring 60. In response, Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals but Ali Zaryab stayed firm with a calm and composed unbeaten 74.
Pakistan captain Hasan Khan won the toss and elected to field first. The first change bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi gave Pakistan the first breakthrough in shape of Matthew Breetzke on 21 runs.
Some resistance from lower middle-order of the young South Africans took their team to a fighting total of 189 runs.
Mohammad Musa remained the pick of the bowler for Pakistan as he picked three wickets for 29 runs in ten overs. While Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice in the inning. Arshad Iqbal and Hasan Khan took one wicket each.
Pakistan did not have the ideal of starts to the chase as they lost their opener Muhammad Zaid Alam and the one-down batsman Ammad Alam for 38 runs.
Pakistan got in deep trouble when they lost two quick wickets and half of their side was down for 111 runs, still needing 79 runs.
After a few hiccups at the end, Ali Zaryab Asif steered Pakistan to the semi-final of the tournament with his heroic inning.
Pakistan will now await the winner of the India-Bangladesh clash in the other quarter-final.
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