Shakeel ur Rehman
On day two of the only four-day Youth Test between Pakistan U19 and England U19 at the Arundel Castle Cricket Club Ground, England were bowled out for 333 runs in their first innings, while Pakistan reached 257 for six at the close of the second day.
Pakistan are still 77 runs behind England’s first-innings total, with four wickets in hand.
Day One: Rain Disrupts Play, England Reach 264 for 5
England U19 won the toss and elected to bat first. Pakistan fast bowler Abdul Subhan provided an early breakthrough, dismissing Lew Selby-Clinton after just three deliveries.
Mohammad Siyam then removed Isaac Mohammed for 28, leaving England at 46 for two.
Bertie Michael and captain Ralphie Albert steadied the innings with an impressive 152-run partnership for the third wicket. Albert played an aggressive innings of 88 from 93 balls, including 19 boundaries.
Mohammad Huzaifa broke the partnership, with Albert caught by Aliyan Salman. Michael continued his excellent batting and finished the first day unbeaten on 98.
Joe Moores also contributed a quick 41, including five fours and two sixes, before Abdul Subhan bowled him to claim his second wicket. Ahmed Hussain then dismissed Jack Nelson for a duck.
With rain interrupting play, England finished the first day on 264 for five after 56.4 overs. Abdul Subhan had taken two wickets, while Mohammad Siyam, Mohammad Huzaifa and Ahmed Hussain had one wicket each.
Day Two: England Bowled Out for 333
England resumed their first innings on 264 for five on the second morning. Bertie Michael completed an excellent century and went on to score 131 runs off 235 balls, including 21 fours.
Michael added 51 runs with Luke Hands for the seventh wicket. However, after Hands was dismissed, England’s lower order collapsed. The hosts lost their final four wickets for just 18 additional runs and were eventually bowled out for 333 in 87.1 overs.
For Pakistan, Rizwanullah was the leading wicket-taker, claiming three wickets for 63 runs from 17 overs. Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain and Mohammad Siyam took two wickets each, while Mohammad Huzaifa claimed one.
Pakistan’s Reply: Abdul Qadir Launches a Counter-Attack
Chasing England’s 333, Pakistan made a confident start. Openers Usman Khan and Aliyan Salman added 56 runs for the first wicket before England’s Main Lumsden dismissed Usman Khan for 28 off 46 balls.
Abdul Qadir then took charge and launched an aggressive counter-attack against the English bowlers. He scored a superb 66 off just 54 balls, smashing 10 fours and two sixes.
Qadir and Ahmed Hussain put together an important 57-run partnership for the third wicket, helping Pakistan recover strongly.
After Qadir was dismissed for 66, Ahmed Hussain continued to provide stability, sharing partnerships of 21 with captain Farhan Yousaf and 26 with wicketkeeper Hamza Zahoor.
Ahmed Hussain scored a responsible 35 off 66 balls before being dismissed with Pakistan on 218.
Hasan Abbas Dar and Mohammad Siyam then showed great composure in the closing stages, ensuring that Pakistan did not lose another wicket. The pair added an unbeaten 39-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
At the close of the second day’s play, Pakistan were 257 for six, with Hasan Abbas Dar unbeaten on 26 and Mohammad Siyam on 11.
Lumsden Leads England’s Bowling Attack
For England, Main Lumsden was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets. Ralphie Albert claimed two wickets, while Jack Ald took one.
Pakistan Well Placed to Fight Back
Pakistan’s position has improved considerably by the end of the second day. Abdul Qadir’s explosive half-century, followed by the composed partnership between Hasan Abbas Dar and Mohammad Siyam, has brought Pakistan back into contention.
With four wickets still in hand, Pakistan’s primary objective on the third day will be to erase the 77-run deficit and secure a first-innings lead over England.
