Australia U19s clash called off due to rain

Rain has forced the second Youth ODI between Australia Under 19s and Pakistan Under 19s at The Albert Ground in Melbourne to be abandoned.

The tourists won the toss and elected to bowl first, dismissing Australia for 235.

Five batsmen passed 20 for the hosts, with West Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie the pick of the bunch with 85 off 94 deliveries, backing up his innings of 46 in the first match.

Victorian keeper-batsman Patrick Rowe (39), Tasmanian debutant Jack White (27), World Cup squad vice-captain Will Sutherland (26) and first-game centurion Mackenzie Harvey (22) also enjoyed time in the middle.

Pakistan speedster Arshad Iqbal claimed 3-39, while Shaheen Afridi and skipper Hasan Khan claimed two wickets apiece.

The match was evenly poised when the rain hit, with Pakistan 2-60 in the 13th over.

Sutherland and Queensland fast bowler Blake Edwards each picked up a wicket.

The match is part of Pakistan’s preparations for the 2018 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup, with Sutherland the only player in Australia’s World Cup squad in action during the series.

Pakistan holds a 1-0 advantage in the series, ahead of the third and final match between the teams at the same venue on Sunday.

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).