Cricket can be cruel, and Harare offered a reminder on Monday. Stunning centuries from Sameer Minhas and Usman Khan powered Pakistan Under-19 to a massive total, but relentless rain had the final say, forcing a no result in the tri-series clash against Zimbabwe Under-19.
Pakistan pile on runs after being put in to bat
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe U19 chose to field, hoping to exploit early conditions at the Prince Edward School Ground. What followed was the opposite.
Pakistan U19 came out with intent. Openers set the tone early, but it was the second-wicket stand that changed the game’s mood entirely.
Sameer Minhas and Usman Khan settled in quickly. Then they accelerated. Boundaries flowed, the field spread thin, and Zimbabwe’s bowlers were made to work hard in the Harare heat.
The scoreboard kept ticking. Then it started racing.
Pakistan reached 354 for seven in their 50 overs, a total that looked well beyond competitive on most days.
Sameer Minhas delivers another statement knock
Sameer Minhas has been in that kind of form lately. Calm at the crease, but ruthless once set.
The right-hander top-scored with 142 off 106 balls, an innings packed with authority. Seventeen fours pierced the infield, while four sixes cleared the ropes with ease.
This wasn’t just slogging. It was placement, timing, and patience mixed together. Sameer waited for loose deliveries and punished them. Anything short, anything wide, disappeared.
It also followed his strong run at the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup, where he had already stamped his name as one to watch. Monday’s knock felt like a continuation of that run, not a one-off.
Zimbabwe tried changing bowlers, shifting fields, slowing the pace. Nothing stuck for long.
Usman Khan matches him stroke for stroke
At the other end, Usman Khan was equally assured, just in a slightly different style.
The left-hander compiled 121 from 112 deliveries, striking 12 fours and two sixes. Less explosive perhaps, but beautifully fluent.
Usman rotated strike smartly, kept the partnership alive, and made sure the pressure never eased. Whenever Zimbabwe managed a quiet over, he found a boundary to break the rhythm.
Together, Sameer and Usman added 199 runs for the second wicket, a partnership that effectively took the match away from the hosts before the halfway mark.
It was the kind of stand coaches love. Balanced. Disciplined. And punishing when required.
One moment it felt steady. Blink again, and the score had jumped by 20.
Middle order keeps the tempo alive
Even after both centurions were dismissed, Pakistan didn’t lose momentum.
Huzaifa Ahsan stepped in and played a crucial supporting role. His 54 off 53 balls ensured there was no slowdown in the final overs.
Three fours and two sixes came at handy moments, helping Pakistan cross the 350-run barrier, a psychological mark in youth cricket.
The tail chipped in where needed. Singles were taken seriously. The intent never dipped.
For Zimbabwe, there were still a few bright spots with the ball:
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Kirby Madharamete finished with three wickets
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Panashe Mazai picked up two scalps
But the damage had already been done.
Rain arrives before Zimbabwe can respond
Just as the crowd braced for a challenging chase, the skies had other plans.
Rain began to fall before Zimbabwe could start their innings. Initially, it looked like a brief interruption. Covers came on, players waited, officials checked conditions.
Then the drizzle turned stubborn.
Outfield conditions worsened. The pitch stayed under wraps. Time slipped away. Eventually, there was no option left.
The match was declared no result, denying Zimbabwe a chance to respond and Pakistan a chance to defend a towering total.
For players who had put in hours of work, it was a frustrating ending.
A match remembered for runs, not result
There was no winning team on paper, but the scorecard tells a clear story.
Pakistan’s young batters dominated. Sameer Minhas and Usman Khan showed maturity well beyond their age. Their partnership was the highlight of the day, rain or no rain.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will take heart from their bowling effort in tough circumstances and move on quickly in the tri-series.
Cricket moves fast at this level. One washed-out game doesn’t define a tournament.
