New Zealand Under-19s coast to warm-up victory over Pakistan

New Zealand’s Under-19 squad has made a strong start to its preparations for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup later this month, with a comfortable five-wicket win over the Pakistan U19s.

Captain Craig Cachopa starred for the New Zealanders, scoring an unbeaten 76 as his side chased down the Pakistanis’ total with wickets and overs in hand.

New Zealand and Pakistan are playing three unofficial warm-up matches in Blenheim this week as both sides prepare for the World Cup tournament which starts on 15 January.

The New Zealanders won the toss and put Pakistan in to bat, in blustery nor-west conditions. Right-arm medium fast bowler Bevan Small decimated the Pakistan top order in a fiery opening spell, at one stage having figures of three for 12.

Ahmad Shahzad (52) and Rameez Aziz (52) steadied the innings, compiling 70 for the fourth wicket. After Ahmad’s dismissal Aziz combined with Muhammad Azam, adding another 63 for the fifth wicket. The Pakistanis made it through to 221 for nine in 50 overs.

Small was the best of the New Zealand bowlers with three for 33, while right-arm medium pace bowler Doug Bracewell took two for 45.

Despite losing their first wicket before a run was on the board, and being two for 17 at one stage, the New Zealanders were untroubled during their run chase. Scoring at a steady six runs an over the Kiwis cantered through to 226 in the 38th over.

Corey Anderson (39) and Jimmy Neesham (58) kick-started the chase with a third-wicket partnership of 79 in 45, setting the tone for the rest of the innings. Cachopa then featured in two strong partnerships, putting on 52 for the fifth wicket with Jono Hickey, and an unbeaten 50 from just 38 balls with Harry Boam to see the side through to victory.

Best of Pakistan’s bowlers was left-arm orthodox spinner Usman Qadir, with two for 51.

The two sides meet again on Tuesday [5 January].

Short scorecard (both teams playing 12 players during these unofficial warm-up matches):

Pakistan U19s: 221-9 in 50 overs (Ahmad 52, Rameez 52, Azam 48; Small 3-33, D Bracewell 2-45)

New Zealand U19s: 226-5 in 37.2 overs (Cachopa 76 n.o., Neesham 58, Anderson 39; Qadir 2-51)

Win to New Zealand U19s by five wickets.