Pakistan booked their spot in the semi-finals by clinching a tense victory against Bangladesh, edging them out by a mere five runs in a nail-biting Super Sixes encounter during the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Benoni.
The standout performer of the match was Ubaid Shah, who emerged as the hero for Pakistan with a remarkable five-wicket haul.
Despite a commendable all-round effort by Rohanat Doullah Borson for Bangladesh, they succumbed to the relentless onslaught led by Ubaid Shah.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan set a challenging target of 156 runs in 40.4 overs. Arafat Minhas top-scored with 34, while Shahzaib Khan chipped in with 26.
However, Borson and Sheikh Paevez Jibon combined forces to restrict Pakistan to 155.
In response, Bangladesh showed promise in the chase, with top-order batsman Jishan Alam scoring a brisk 19 off 12 balls.
Nevertheless, Ubaid Shah's tenacity and fiery spell shattered Bangladesh's hopes, limiting them to 83 for six by the 20th over.
Despite a resilient partnership between James and Rabby, who contributed 40 crucial runs, Ubaid Shah returned to dismiss James (26 off 43) and the captain, Rabby, sealing Bangladesh's fate.
Overcoming pain and missed opportunities, Ubaid Shah, the sibling of speedster Naseem Shah, secured a vital five-wicket haul.
During Bangladesh's chase, Shihab and newcomer Mahfuzur Rahman attempted a revival, but Ubaid Shah's consistency paid dividends as he removed Shihab, putting Pakistan back in control.
A direct hit in the 37th over brought Bangladesh to the brink, yet Borson and Maruf Mridha fought valiantly for the final wicket. With only six runs needed, Mohammad Zeeshan's delivery induced a fatal mistake from Maruf, as he fended one back onto his stumps, securing a narrow five-run victory for Pakistan.
Pakistan are set to face Australia in the U19 World Cup semi-final, scheduled for a high-stakes clash on February 8, with both teams vying for a coveted spot in the final.
