U-19 WC: Pakistan beat Afghanistan by six wickets, set up semifinal clash with India

A half-century from opener Muhammad Huraira on debut and a fine bowling performance powered Pakistan to a six-wicket win over Afghanistan in ICC U-19 World Cup here on Friday, setting up an exciting semifinal against arch-rivals India.  Afghanistan fought hard after posting 189 but just did t have eugh runs on board. Huraira, playing his first game of tournament, struck a match-winning kck in fourth quarterfinal. Qasim Akram (25 t out off 41 balls)and Mohammad Haris (29 t out off 43) saw team through in just 41.1 overs. 

Pakistan beat Afghanistan 

Tahir Hussain (1/28 in 10 overs), Fahad Munir (2/29 in 7) and Mohammad Amir Khan (3/58 in 10) were pick of Pakistan bowlers.   Defending champions India and Pakistan play ir semifinal in Potchefstroom on February 4. India had beaten Australia in ir quarterfinal match. Talking about team's performance, Pakistan captain Rohail Nazir said: "We dropped 2-3 early catches and had we held on, we could have restricted m to a lesser total. spinners bowled really well in middle overs and bowled m out for 190. wicket was turning a bit and our plan was to rotate strike. opening partnership was good and we played sensibly in middle overs."

On India game, he added: "It is ar game. India is a good side and we need to play good cricket. crowd really motivated us, appreciated us and I hope y turn up for semifinal and cheer for us." Afghanistan captain Farhan Zakhil said 189 was defendable. " wicket was good and our batsmen did t take responsibility. y bowled well and created chances. 190 was a par score for our bowlers. We expected our fast bowlers to provide early wickets and y were t able to do that," said Zakhil.