Fatullah: Pakistan wicket-keeper Umair Masood’s gutsy hundred went in vain as Pakistan were beaten convincingly by the West Indies in the last quarter-final of the ongoing Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh on Monday.
Masood came in to bat after Pakistan were left reeling at 5-57 in the first 20 overs — and went on until the 49th over before getting dismissed by Ryan John at 113. The innings included 15 fours and two sixes.
The wicket keeper was assisted by Salman Fayyaz in a sixth wicket partnership of 164 to help Pakistan set a 229 runs target for the Windies U-19 to chase.
The West Indies openers gave the run chase a flying start as Gidrom Pope smashed a quick-fire 25 before falling out to Ahmed Shafiq’s left-arm spin.
Pope’s opening partner Tevin Imlach and number three batsman Shimron Hetmyer capitalised on the good start and put up a 77 run partnership for the second wicket.
Pakistan Under-19s seemed to take control once again when Hetmyer was stumped off Shadab Khan’s flighted leg-spinner followed by Imlach and Keacy Carty getting dismissed in quick successions.
However, a run-a-ball 37 by Shamar Springer and Keemo Paul’s 24 of 16 helped the Windies U-19s cruise swiftly towards a victory which confirmed them the semi-final birth.
Bangladesh, India, Srilanka are the other sides who have made it to the semi-finals of the youth tournament which ends on February 14.
