The U-19 World Cup has reached its business end as teams are buying to finish as high as possible. UAE were successful in clinching the final of the Plate competition, while hosts West Indies secured 11th place by beating Zimbabwe in the ongoing U-19 World Cup. Despite a hundred from Ariful Islam, defending champions Bangladesh were no match to Pakistan as they bowed out on low in the second Super League playoff.
Pakistan make light work of Bangladesh as Ariful Islam's ton goes waste
Pakistan bowlers Awais Ali and Mehran Mumtaz were in full swing on Monday (January 31) as they scalped wickets at regular intervals. The duo picked three wickets each as the Bangladesh batting lineup had a horrible time. Only three batters scored more than 10 runs; despite the team facing miserable time. Islam was the silver lining on the dark cloud with his hundred as Bangladesh managed only 175.
Pakistan didn't have too many troubles in getting past the total, as Muhammad Shehzad (36) and Haseebullah Khan (79) made sure the Men in Green got over the line. They put together an opening stand of 76 runs before Abdul Faseeh (22) and Abbas Ali (5) saw Pakistan home as they won by six wickets.
UAE clinch Plate final
The Plate final turned out to be one-way traffic, as UAE beat Ireland by eight wickets. Batting first, Ireland batters were no match to the quality of UAE bowlers as Jash Giyanani, Adhitya Shetty and Dhruv Parashar all ended with two wickets each. Jack Dickson top-scored with 40 runs for the Irish side before they were restricted to a mere total of 122.
UAE made sure the target was reached within 26 overs as Kai Smith (49) and Punya Mehra (48) took the initiative. Mehra remained unbeaten while UAE completed the run chase with Nilansh Keswani unbeaten on six, as they clinched the Plate final.
Hosts secure 11th place
Teddy Bishop (112) and Kevin Wickham (104) were flamboyant for the hosts West Indies as they secured 11th place in the tournament. Asked to chase 257 runs, the two batters combined for a second-wicket partnership of 194 runs as both Bishop and Wickham ended with tons. While Bishop remained unbeaten, Rivaldo Clarke joined him to take the team home with four balls to spare as the West Indies won by eight wickets.
Earlier, Zimbabwe had put together 256/4, as David Bennett (77) and Conor Mitchell (42) made significant contributions to the total. Brian Bennett also scored a fifty with a 62-run knock but was only enough to clinch the 12th spot.
On Tuesday, England take on Afghanistan in the first semi-final at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The winner will play in the showpiece final on Saturday, against either India or Australia.
