Pakistan U19s cruise to win over Aussies

A brilliant century from Mackenzie Harvey was not enough for Australia Under 19s, as they went down by six wickets to Pakistan Under 19s in the first match of their three-match Youth ODI Series in Melbourne.

The tourists won the toss and elected to bowl, and it was Harvey who played a lone hand for Australia.

The 17-year-old Victorian smashed 136 from just 130 deliveries at The Albert Ground, as the hosts were bowled out for 241 in the 46th over.

Western Australia’s Aaron Hardie (46 off 48) and Queensland’s Harrison Wood (21 off 35) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures, as Musa Khan (4-33) and Arshad Iqbal (3-53) did the bulk of the damage with the ball.

In response, Australia used nine bowlers, but could only snare four wickets as Pakistan cruised to victory in the 45th over.

Middle-order players Ali Zaryab Asif (63 off 92) and Saad Khan (53 off 62) were both unbeaten at the close of play, while Pakistan’s top three batsmen also passed 30.

Hardie, New South Wales’ Lawrence Neil-Smith and Queensland’s Harrison Macoun each picked up a wicket.

The series continues on Friday at the same venue, before the final match on Friday. The series is being live-streamed and is free to view via cricket.com.au and the Cricket Australia Live App.

Australia U19 Squad: Iain Carlisle (NSW), Oliver Davies (NSW), Blake Edwards (QLD), Cameron Green (WA), Ryan Hackney (NSW), Aaron Hardie (WA), Mackenzie Harvey (VIC), Bradley Hope (WA), Harrison Macoun (QLD), Lawrence Neil-Smith (NSW), Patrick Rowe (VIC), Matthew Spoors (WA), Jack White (TAS), Harrison Wood (QLD).