Cricket: Hollioake stifles Pakistani ambition in Under-19 series

England sealed the Under-19 series against Pakistan after the third "Test" petered out to a draw in Lahore yesterday. Ben Hollioake, so important with bat and ball in the first innings, was again the pick of the England players.

The match had seemed well-poised overnight with Pakistan 132 for 5, but tight bowling from the visitors denied them the quick runs they needed to press for victory and England finished the series 1-0 winners.

Hollioake finished with 3 for 35 from 25 tidy overs, while Yorkshire's Gareth Batty, with 3 for 51 from 22, was also economical.

Hassan Raza's useful innings of 69 ensured the home side were never in danger of losing the match, but his scoring rate was such that neither were they in a position where victory ever looked a realistic prospect.

Pakistan finally declared at 207 for 9, leaving England needing 201 from 37 overs a very similar target to that which the senior tourists were asked to chase in the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. But this time there was nothing like the excitement of that match.

THIRD UNDER-19 INTERNATIONAL (Lahore, final day of four): Pakistan 237 (Ahmad Saeed 77; B Hollioake 6-40) and 207 for 9 dec (Hassan Raza 69); England 244 (B Hollioake 67; Abdul Razzaq 4-55) and 64 for 4. Match drawn (England win series 1-0).