Published: Jan 24, 2018, 02:43 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 24, 2018, 02:43 PM (IST)
Although Pakistan and South Africa could not score many runs at The Hagley Oval in Christchurch but the former managed a nervy 3-wicket win to seal their spot in the semi-final of 2018 Under-19 World Cup. Opting to field, Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Musa restricted South Africa to 189 for 9 in 50 overs. They initially reduced South Africa to 43 for 4 cleaning the top-order. However, it was South Africa’s wicketkeeper Wandile Makwetu, who managed a 65-ball 60.
In the process he put up handy partnerships with Jean du Plessis (21) and Jason Niemand (36). Musa ended with 3 wickets for 29 and Afridi scalped 2 wickets for 30. Chasing 190, Pakistan too were off to a shaky start. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Last match hero Ali Zaryab once again stood out for his performance. His gritty 111-ball 74 was the only talking point amongst Pakistan batting line-up.
Zaryab received helping hand from Saad Khan to put up a much-needed sixth-wicket stand of 65 runs. The latter played a slow but patient innings of 62-ball 26. When Pakistan needed 14 runs to win, Zaryab lost his partner Khan. Pakistan then started collapsing until Zaryab played the winning runs within 47.5 overs. Niemand was the pick of bowlers for South Africa picking 2 wickets for 31.
The winners from New Zealand-Afghanistan and India-Bangladesh quarter-finals will join Australia and Pakistan in the semi-final.
Brief scores:
South Africa 189 for 9 in 50 overs (Wandile Makwetu 60, Jason Niemand 36; Mohammad Musa 3 for 29) lose to Pakistan 190 for 7 in 47.4 overs (Ali Zaryan 74, Saad Khan 26; Jason Niemand 2 for 31) by 3 wickets.
Man of the Match: Ali Zaryab
