England qualified for Sunday’s Under-19 Tri-series final thanks to Pakistan beating the United Arab Emirates in Dubai.
The UAE’s surprise defeat of England yesterday meant the hosts could still reach the showpiece via victory today combined with Pakistan overcoming England on Friday.
However, Pakistan kept up their perfect tournament record with a 73-run success built on Sami Aslam’s 129 from the top of the order to set up a showdown with England on Sunday.
After the tourists won the toss, Aslam’s 150-ball innings featuring four sixes and 12 fours, allied to 48 not out from 44 deliveries by Hussain Talat, set up a score of 261 for eight.
Dan D'Souza gave the UAE hope of overhauling that but, after he was run out for a patient 56, the last five wickets fell for 17 runs in an innings that lasted 47 overs.