Rizwanullah, openers set up big win as Pakistan make U-19 Asia Cup final

Fast bowler Rizwanullah's maiden five-wicket haul helpedPakistan U-19s trounce Bangladesh by nine wickets in the semi-final of the Under-19 Asia Cup in Muscat.

Pakistan openers Usman Khan and Hayam Khan then chased down the 139 target with ease. Usman was unbeaten on 64 with seven fours and two sixes in his 54-ball knock while Hayam made 69 off 72 with eight fours and a six. They added 123 runs for the opening stand, before Hayam holed out off Robiul Hasan. Usman blasted a four and a six off consecutive balls to complete the chase in the 22nd over.

After Bangladesh elected to bat, Pakistan bowlers struck regularly as three of the top five batters fell for single-digit scores. Opener Abdullah Al Muhi struck a half-century, hitting four fours and two sixes, but after his wicket in the 14th over, the rest of the batters struggled to get going.

Rizwanullah triggered a lower-order collapse as Bangladesh were bowled out for 138 in 31.4 overs. Mohammad Sayyam took two wickets, while Ali Raza, Ahmed Hussain and Hasnain Dar took one each.