Openers put on 177 in Sharjah as 279-run target proves to much for Sri Lankans.

Pakistan's Imam-ul-Haq of Pakistan celebrates his half-century during the Under 19 World Cup against Sri Lanka on February 22, 2014. Getty Images
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SHARJAH // It was difficult to tell the exact motive behind the frenzied cheers emanating from the Pakistan dressing room at the end of their quarter-final against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

The flat-screen television on the wall was tuned in to OSN’s coverage of the closing stages of England’s thrilling win over India down the road in Dubai. Judged by the euphoria, the preferred team won.

Whether that is because it was the old enemy exiting a competition they seemed well credentialed to win, or because they think it makes their own path to the title easier, is a moot point. It was probably a bit of both – though much more of the former, you would expect.

In truth, their minds had been able to wander to what comes next for some time before then, given the ease with which they dispatched Sri Lanka here.

Once Sami Aslam and Imam-ul-Haq, two players vying to be the leading run-scorer in the tournament, had put on 177 for the first wicket of the day, a Pakistan win was a foregone conclusion.

The UAE in general, and Sharjah in particular, is often deemed to be Pakistan’s senior team’s home from home, given the amount they play here in exile.

Their age-group colleagues are enjoying similar home comforts, seeing as they have basically been here for the past three months, playing a tri-series, the Asia Cup and now this World Cup.

The stay has served them well as they performed like a well-greased machine against the under par Sri Lankan youngsters.

“We have been here for quite some time, we played two tournaments here before the World Cup, so I think we are used to the conditions,” Aslam said.

“Our confidence is high at the right time. We won this match by a large margin and our morale is good going in to the semi-finals.”

Aslam earned the man of the match award for his innings of 95.

His thriving alliance with Imam at the top of the order bodes well for Pakistan as they approach the business end of the competition.

Imam, who made 82 and initially set the pace for his more celebrated partner on a foggy morning in Sharjah, has been a revelation in this competition.

In the Asia Cup which preceded it his contributions had been negligible, but he asked the management to be promoted to open so he could take on more responsibility.

The results have been highly successful. His innings took him to a total of 342 in four matches so far.

“I’m very happy as this is the right time to be in good form,” Imam said.

“I’m a senior player, the vice-captain and this will be my last chance to experience an U19 World Cup.

“I was struggling for runs but I asked the management before coming here if I could open the innings as I wanted to do something for my country. It has paid off for me.”

Sri Lanka’s demise was unusually limp given the form they had shown previously. The die was cast as soon as Hashan Dumindu fell to the first ball of their pursuit of 280 to win, when he dragged a delivery from Zia-ul-Haq onto his stumps.

“We had been performing well right from the practise matches up till now, but today we didn’t bat well,” said Kusal Mendis, the Sri Lanka captain.

“It has been a good experience for us to play in an international competition as all of us need to learn to play at this level.”

pradley@thenational.ae