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Ireland’s Under 19s suffered a 9-wicket loss to Pakistan in Whangarei in the second group match of the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup.

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi produced an outstanding spell of bowling to take 6 wickets in Ireland’s innings of 97 and in reply, Pakistan wasted no time in chasing down the target, doing so inside 9 overs.
Pakistan U19 won the toss and elected to field. Ireland were hoping to get off to a similar start to the Sri Lanka match and then build through the middle overs but Afridi didn’t allow any of the Irish batters settle.

His extra pace and how he attacked the stumps meant he was not always threatening to take wickets but his consistency left runs at a premium. Three of his wickets came through catches from wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir behind the stumps. The other 3 were clean bowled, with one commentator describing him as ‘Mitchell Starc-esque’.

With Ireland 9-down Josh Little opened his shoulders and played a few shots. With two boundaries and the only 6 of the innings, Little top-scored with 24 not out.

Pakistan opener Muhammad Zaid Alam wasted no time in chasing down the target. His 19 ball 43 included 7 fours and a 6 to finish the chase.

Without doubt it was a tough day for the Irish squad but this group of players have come through so much together and will go again on Saturday January 20th at 10.30am (9.30pm Friday Irish time) against Afghanistan.

Ireland U19 v Pakistan U19, ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Group D, Cobham Oval, Whangarei, New Zealand

Pakistan Win by 9 Wickets

Ireland 97/10 (28.5/50 Overs) Josh Little 24*, Sam Murphy 19; Shaheen Shah Afridi 6-15

Pakistan 98/1 (8.5 overs) Muhammad Zaid Alam 43*, Hasan Khan 27*; Aaron Cawley 1-27

Captains Harry Tector and Hasan Khan at the toss ahead of today’s game
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Connaught