Wasim stars as Pakistan overcome early scare to start World Cup campaign with win
Mohammad Wasim's five-for breaks the Europeans' back before Nazir, Irfan prevent a potential meltdown in run chase
Pakistan Under-19 team on Sunday started their ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign with a seven-wicket win over Scotland in a run chase that should have been more straightforward that it was.
The Green Shirts were dealt two quick blows in their pursuit of a measly 76-run target in Potchefstroom.
The team, set an easy target, was expected to chase without even breaking a sweat.
However, their run chase could not have started any worse as they lost both their openers — Haider Ali and Mohammad Shehzad — in the first and second overs respectively.
Reeling at 2-4, the team needed a captain's knock from Rohail Nazir — arguably also the team's best batsman.
Nazir (27 off 23) and Irfan Khan did stabilise the ship, taking the score past the 50-run mark before the former disappeared.
In the end, the pairing of Irfan (38*) and Qasim Akram got the team over the line.
Earlier, pacer Mohammad Wasim — from Waziristan — ripped through Scotland, taking five wickets for just 12 runs to restrict the Europeans to just 75 runs.
While Wasim stole the show, Tahir Hussain's contribution up top could not be ignored. His bowled outs on back-to-back balls of the first over had set the tone, on which Wasim later capitalised.
Wasim, as expected, was named the man of the match.
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