Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Saturday, 18 August 2012 00:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Townsville: Despite a below-par performance with the bat, India managed to eke out a 107-run win over Papua New Guinea in their third outing at the U-19 World Cup at Endeavour Park on Thursday.
The victory took them to second place in Group C, and they will now play Pakistan in the quarter-final on August 20.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, skipper Unmukt Chand (4) saw himself back in the dressing room with just five runs on the scoreboard. His opening partner Prashant Chopra however, put up a fight, scoring 58 valuable runs before perishing to Vagi Morea.
Vijay Zol (72) then took over striking a fine half-century, forging a valuable partnership with keeper-batsman Smit Patel (30). The left-hander would be the last to fall as India were bowled out for 204. Chad Soper was Papua New Guinea’s best bowler, finishing with figures of 5/32.
It seemed to be a day tailor-made for the bowlers, as Kamal Passi started by dismissing PNG’s opener Lega Siaka (1). Medium-pacer Ravikant Singh came in soon after, taking wickets at regular intervals, as the opposition’s batting began to disintegrate. Singh went on to finish with figures of 5/21, and was declared the Man-of-the-Match.
When Charles Amini made his way back to the dressing room in the 25th over, PNG had lost their seventh wicket. They didn’t trouble the scorers for too long, as Baba Aparajith dismissed batsman No.10 to bundle Papua New Guinea out for just 97.
England reaches Super League quarter-finals
Another impressive knock by wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes and some hostile pace bowling by Shozair Ali helped England defeat Nepal by 126 runs to finish second behind Australia in Group A.
Foakes missed a century by eight runs but his 92 (84b, 7x4,3x6) was the centre-piece of England’s 274 for seven, which also featured a half-century from Ben Duckett (55, 33b, 6x4, 1x6).
Despite a half-century from Nepal opener Subhash Khakurel, Nepal’s run-chase was never allowed to flourish as Ali and fellow new ball partner Reece Topley rattled through the line-up to dismiss the Nepal for 148.
Ali, a Warwickshire quick bowler, finished with four for 37 from 10 overs while the rangy Topley was also eye-catching with three for 10 from seven overs.
Pakistan tops Group B
A clinical performance by Pakistan provided it with an ideal preparation for its quarter-final clash with traditional rival India.
New Zealand, batting first, stuttered to 152 for eight with Robert O’Donnell (29) and Henry Walsh (33) netting 51 runs for the fourth wicket. For Pakistan, wickets were shared between all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz (two for 32), right-arm fast bowler Ehsan Adil (two for 21) and 17-year-old left-arm quick Zia-ul-Haq (two for 27).
When Pakistan batted, Nawaz followed up his two for 32 with a 23 not out (20b, 1x4, 2x6) to not only win the player of the match award but also for ensuring his side’s five-wicket win with more than 18 overs to spare.
Pakistan captain Baba Azam praised the composure of his team. “We were confident we would go well and I was very pleased with the way we worked together as a unit today. We have enjoyed our cricket so far and now we are into the quarter-finals, I think we can continue to improve,” he said.
West Indies relegates Zimbabwe to Plate Championship
Zimbabwe needed a convincing win over the West Indies to give itself a chance of qualifying for the Super League quarter-final. However, at Endeavour Park, Zimbabwe lost by six wickets and will now have to compete in the Plate Championship.
West Indies’ Test opener and captain Kraigg Brathwaite struck form at the right time as he returned unbeaten on 70, even as his side achieved the modest victory target of 149 with six wickets and almost 15 overs to spare.
Brathwaite said it was good to get some runs on the board today.
“I was looking for a hundred actually but I was just taking my time and getting into it. I am really pleased with our fast bowlers, they are really hitting their straps and backing themselves and looking to bowl fast which is a good sign for us,” he said.
Quarter-finals line-up
Super League
Plate Championship
