New Zealand's Glenn Phillips (210 runs at 70.00) and Chrsitian Leopard (185 runs at 185.00) finished as the two leading runmakers from all teams at the Under-19 Tri-Series in Dubai.
In the final encounter with Pakistan, a stunning 61-ball century to Leopard backed up by a gallant last ditch stand from six-hitting tailenders was impressive, but not quite enough to save the New Zealand Under-19s after a nightmare start.
Scorecard
Chasing Pakistan’s, 279/9, the young New Zealanders had got themselves in a bind early after Pakistan took three big wickets inside the first four overs.
The top order was minus customary powerhouse Phillips as the side looked to give their options a run ahead of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Still, they didn’t expect to be 11/3 heading into the lunch break.
Daniel Stanley had edged legspinner Hasan Mohsin second over of the chase, before a double strike in his second over from the same bowler removed both Rachin Ravindra and captain Josh Finnie — each trying to drive, but caught at slip and at point respectively.
Eighteen-year-old Mohsin finished with superb figures of 3-25 after his brilliant start, but a New Zealand fightback began after the innings break with first drop Finn Allen and Josh Clarkson looking to steady the ship.
When Clarkson was lost, Aniket Parikh stepped in, but Saif Ali quickly struck again to find his edge and have the New Zealanders in strife all over again at 67/5 after just 14 overs.
Enter Christian Leopard. Batting as if he needed to catch a train, the athletic Hawke’s Bay allrounder showed no incliination to take things slowly.
He slammed his first six off Saif Ali over square, following up against Shadab Khan in the 19th over with a couple of handsome straight ones, charging down the track both times.
Leopard posted his half-century off only 27 balls, having smashed Arsal Sheikh for two further sixes, plus two fours, in the 22nd over.
The required run rate slunk down from more than six an over to fewer than 4.5 by the time Leopard’s fireworks were finally extinguished, in 34th over. By then, he had posted his lightning quick hundred, and then some, including 12 fours and seven sixes for a strike rate above 160.
Even then, at 206/8 with 74 further runs required, the New Zealanders didn’t give up on the chase.
Zak Gibson had seen Leopard safely to his hundred, and new partner Felix Murray began watchfully as a seemingly unlikley victory hung in the balance. But number 10 Murray would go on to smack three fours and a six to keep the New Zealanders in it.
Zak Gibson
When Gibson was caught trying to loft the ball over long off, after resisting for 27 balls, Ross ter Braak stepped up to the plate and slogged a six on the 46th over. But Shadab Khan had the perfect reply, having him stumped next ball to see the game New Zealanders fall short by just 31 runs in the end.
Earlier, Finnie had put Pakistan into bat, but his opposing captain Gauhar Hafeez got his team off to a good start with 58.
Two wickets from spinner Murray helped chip Pakistan down to 110 for four before Shadab Khan (48) and Saif Badar (an unbeaten 99) poured on the key partnership.
The New Zealand attack shared regular breakthroughs in the latter stages, but some punishing late hitting pushed the total out to 279 for nine, 58 runs taken in the last five overs.
New Zealand finished on equal top points in the Tri-Series after two wins and two losses, but Pakistan claimed the overall title by a nose on net run rate.
