England U19 Survive Pakistan Fightback to Seal Thrilling 10-Run Win

ARUNDEL: England U19 held their nerve in a dramatic finish to defeat Pakistan U19 by 10 runs in the one-off Youth Test at Arundel Castle Cricket Club Ground on Saturday, with captain Ralphie Albert producing a match-winning six-wicket haul in the second innings.

England resumed their second innings at 121/1 on the final morning, holding a 149-run advantage, with Leo Selvey-Clinton and Issac Mohammed at the crease.

Pakistan made an early breakthrough when Mohammad Sayyam removed Issac with only the second delivery of the day. The batter departed for 46 from 57 balls, having struck seven fours.

Albert then joined Selvey-Clinton and the pair steadied the innings with a 75-run stand for the third wicket. Selvey-Clinton reached a well-earned century during the partnership before Pakistan finally found a way through.

Left-arm spinner Mohammad Huzaifa ended Selvey-Clinton’s innings in the 55th over, having him stumped. The opener was dismissed for a superb 107 from 195 deliveries, including 15 fours.

England’s score was reduced further in the following over when Sayyam accounted for Joe Moores for just one, leaving the hosts at 197/4.

Albert and Jack Nelson added 25 for the fifth wicket, but their partnership was cut short when Ahmed Hussain dismissed the England captain. Albert scored 40 off 71 balls, hitting three fours.

England then suffered a dramatic lower-order collapse. Their final five wickets fell for only 21 runs as they were bowled out for 233 in 66.4 overs, leaving Pakistan with 262 to win.

Ahmed Hussain led Pakistan’s bowling effort with an impressive 4/23 from five overs. Huzaifa claimed three wickets, Sayyam took two, while Abdul Subhan finished with one.

Pakistan began the chase positively, with Usman Khan and Aliyan Salman each scoring 25 and combining for a 50-run opening stand.

Albert then turned the game in England’s favour, dismissing both openers before removing Ahmed for one, reducing Pakistan to 60/3.

Farhan Yousaf joined Abdul Qadir and the pair mounted a strong response. Their fourth-wicket partnership produced 124 runs and appeared to put Pakistan firmly in control of the chase.

However, Albert once again provided England with the crucial breakthrough, bowling Farhan for 47. The Pakistan captain faced 77 balls and struck five fours.

Qadir continued to keep Pakistan’s hopes alive, adding 17 runs with Hamza Zahoor before Albert claimed his fourth wicket. Qadir departed for an excellent 80 from 87 balls, including seven fours and a six.

Hasnain Abbas Dar, who had already scored a half-century in the first innings, then joined Hamza and helped Pakistan launch another counterattack. The pair added 33 before Jack Nelson dismissed Hamza for 22 from 38 deliveries with the final ball of the 55th over.

Nelson struck again in the following over, removing Mohammad Sayyam, while Albert dismissed Abdul Subhan for a duck in the 60th over. Pakistan were suddenly eight wickets down and England were within touching distance of victory.

Dar, however, refused to give up and brought the target down to just 11 runs. His attempt to finish the game with a big shot proved costly as Nelson claimed his wicket, and the England bowler completed the victory in his next over by removing the final batter.

Albert finished with outstanding second-innings figures of 6/68 from 21 overs, while Nelson provided excellent support with 4/36 in 7.1 overs.

Pakistan’s valiant chase ultimately ended at 251 in 62.1 overs, leaving England U19 with a narrow 10-run victory in a gripping finish.