WATCH: Best of Farhan Ahmed’s Five-For Headlines Match and England U19s Left Frustrated

Farhan Ahmed returned a brilliant nine wickets across both innings for England Men U19s in their opening Youth Test against South Africa U19s but the team were left to rue a missed opportunity around the result in Stellenbosch. While his exquisite five-wicket haul in the second innings along with a massive 90 runs in the first innings grabbed all the limelight, ultimately, the Young Lions weren’t able to take advantage of their power as South Africa held on for a tense draw.

England’s declaration on 336 for 9 in their second innings gave South Africa a daunting target of 317 runs to win. This came after contributions from Rew (71), Home (60*), Vaughan (44), and Fonseka (43) had laid a solid platform for the visitors. But it was far from a straightforward match, with a nervy finish as South Africa hung on with one wicket still in hand.

In the first innings, he added 90 runs to England’s total of 299 with a bat, showing exceptional resilience, bolstered by Home (63), Mokoena (5-61), and Daniels (4-49). All in all, the 90 runs were crucial in building a decent score, but it was his bowling which played a key role in the second innings.

Bulbulia was the focus of South Africa’s chase, having already turned heads after scoring 88 in the first innings. He cranked up the heat again in the second innings, scoring a superb 114 from 154 balls. His century, and OK and an unbatted 46 from Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, kept the hosts in the game as they moved towards the target.

But Ahmed and Tazeem Ali were not about to let South Africa celebrate. His five-wicket haul in the second innings (5-103) was instrumental as he dismissed Bulbulia off a return catch and got rid of Divan de Villiers in the same over. Ali too was central to the melee, taking three crucial wickets for 57 runs to induce mini-collapse to leave South Africa reeling at 295 for 9, with over one hour to go.

But the tailenders had different ideas. Even with the pressure increasing Nqobani Mokoena took an attacking approach in the last over with Ahmed’s field in place to force the attacking shots. Mokoena replied by locating the rope on both sides of the wicket, even boldly off the last ball of the match to keep his team alive. The South African outfit under Phahlamohlaka demonstrated fortitude of their own in securing the draw in a somewhat unorthodox manner.

The England U19s team were left frustrated after falling just short of victory. There was little more for their bowlers, not least Ahmed, who had been the star of the match, to do. Tension at eight and with Ahmed in the last over was palpable, but South Africa’s tailenders defied it and forced the Young Lions to consider what could have been.

The inaugural Youth Test came to a close with South Africa’s innings ending on 295 for 9, falling short of the 317 runs it needed to win and England’s hopes extinguished at the last. It was a tense, nerve-racking finish that ended in a draw, which disappointed the visitors.